Defensive equity strategies that limit downside losses but lag too much in up-markets may be missing the mark. Is there another way to reduce volatility?
Investor sentiment toward China has soured after a tough year for the economy and stock market. But the painful economic transition is also creating real opportunity.
Rate cuts don’t happen in a vacuum—staying nimble with asset allocation can help investors adapt.
Still doing “T-bill and chill”? As a strategy, rolling Treasury bills may have worked well so far this year, but history suggests it’s time for municipal bond investors to get off the sidelines and back into the market—and soon.
As equity investors hunt for opportunities, why should they consider climate-focused investing?
AB’s Chief Responsibility Officer previews areas of research focus for our Responsible Investing teams in 2024.
Private credit has in a little more than a decade evolved from a niche asset class to a key component of a diversified investment portfolio. We think it will be even more important in 2024 as banks’ reluctance to lend widens the opportunity set for investors.
Bond yields are up—that’s good news for income investors, but secular forces still pose headwinds for inflation-adjusted returns. We think an efficient way to generate income is by carefully assembling mixes of interest-rate and credit building blocks—and incorporating private-market exposure for additional diversification and return potential.
It’s hard to chart a course through equity markets in times of uncertainty. Here are our thoughts on some of the big questions on investors’ minds today.
So it was a very strong year for broad equity benchmarks around the world, but it perhaps didn't feel like a great year for many investors. There's economic uncertainty for sure.
The tide has turned for bonds. Here’s what we think is in store for 2024.
US equity market returns have been disproportionately driven by the so-called Magnificent Seven (Mag 7) stocks this year. Their dominance has created style imbalances within large-cap benchmarks that deserve closer attention from investors.
As European inflation rates converge with targets, markets expect rate cuts. But central banks are set on a decisive victory over inflation.
Investors are warming to opportunities stemming from climate change, and other takeaways from COP28.
For multi-asset income investors, adapting portfolios for equity defense, credit potential and duration exposure should be on the docket for 2024.
A secure lifetime income solution can seamlessly continue the “do it for me” structure that has helped DC plan participants save in their working years.
Investors need to understand the potential physical damage from natural hazards before they can assess their financial implications.
Generative artificial intelligence has a reliability problem. Here’s how investors can gain confidence in portfolios that deploy the technology.
Recent labor agreements in the auto and airline industries spotlight the profitability conundrum facing US companies—and equity investors.
Equities have an important role to play in a diversified allocation today, to help hedge against inflation and to navigate a lower-growth environment.
A robust growth backdrop, a key input for cross-asset positioning, benefited from pent-up demand and an accommodative fiscal policy stance.
Technological turning points in the past have taught important lessons about how to identify long-term winners from transformative innovation.
A new psychological contract is transforming the modern workplace, highlighted by an increase in collective actions and changing employee expectations.
Healthcare stocks have underperformed the global market this year. But taking a closer look under the sector’s hood reveals a more complex picture. In key industries, earnings growth forecasts are healthy and valuations look attractive.
Just six metrics can effectively assess sovereign issuers’ sustainability and provide guidance for both issuers and investors.
We’ve always intended for the unique collaboration between AllianceBernstein (AB) and Columbia University to serve the broader asset-management industry. Asset owners and managers alike are eager to explore the complex issues of climate change and its potential effect on investments and investment decision-making.
Weakness in US equity markets since July reflects ongoing uncertainty about the macroeconomic outlook. Despite the concerns, stocks with quality and defensive features have performed relatively well and could help portfolios surmount shaky conditions ahead.
Following a strong first half of 2023, third-quarter returns were more challenged across almost all asset classes. One outlier was high-yield debt, which often serves as a way to de-risk equity exposures when stocks are under pressure.
The data science wave is here, and bond managers must adapt traditional investment processes to harness new technologies and amplify human talent.
The world is becoming an increasingly diverse place, especially the societies that we live in and we invest in. It’s not just about social equity that companies need to focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion; it’s really about business fundamentals.
Bonds may be back, but many clients are still sitting on piles of cash and CDs. What’s not well known is that returns for money markets and CDs could decline precipitously if—or when—the Fed cuts rates. To help clients think ahead, it’s time to start repositioning portfolios to help adhere to the old adage of “buy low and sell high.”
Register now to hear where AB’s fixed-income portfolio managers are finding compelling opportunities.
Human behavior can lead to irrational investment decisions, but a well-planned low-volatility strategy may be the antidote.
Investors are accustomed to getting a snapshot of the market by looking at the latest index statistics. But today, average spreads and yields for investment-grade corporate bonds are deceptive. A look under the hood reveals that intermediate-maturity corporates are a much more compelling opportunity than long-maturity ones.
Tight lending standards and rising yields, along with concern about an approaching turn in the business cycle, have put opportunistic credit in the spotlight. But what, exactly, does opportunistic credit mean? Here’s how we look at it—and what we think it may offer investors.
It feels like Groundhog Day, with yet another challenging quarter for muni investors. The index was down about 4%, bringing year-to-date returns to –1.4% for the year. So what happened in August and September?
Drugmakers don’t have to dominate a healthcare portfolio. Equity investors should cast a wide net across the sector to find innovation and growth.
The muni yield curve has been inverted before, but not for any meaningful length of time—until now. With yields on short-term muni bonds still significantly higher than those on intermediate-term munis, what’s an investor to do?
A multi-asset approach to sustainable investing brings a broad and more balanced palette to paint with.
Slower growth and rising interest rates have tapped the brakes on private deal activity this year. But as banks continue to retreat from lending, we see plenty of opportunity for investors to pick their spots across the broad private credit universe.
In a market burdened by uncertainties, a flexible approach can help equity investors strike the right balance between short-term risks and long-term opportunities.
With yield curves still inverted, a short-dated high-yield strategy continues to make sense for return-seeking investors with a defensive mindset.
Japanese stocks have outperformed global equities by a wide margin this year. Is this a false dawn or can inflation continue to breathe life into the market?
In an era of new economic challenges, we expect value investing to trump growth-oriented strategies for investors in Chinese equities.
Good news for bond investors: yields are likely to stay higher for longer. We share strategies for making the most of this environment.
The degree of success of muni impact bonds often stems from showing issuers how they’ll be graded.
China’s growth has slowed, but the context is important—an intentional transition to a more balanced economy that relies less on investment and exports.
Even the best scientists in the world cannot reliably forecast drug-test results, so why should investors gamble? Quality businesses are key for healthcare stocks.
A balanced portfolio needs assets with strong return potential and those that may provide downside mitigation. We believe direct lending can deliver both—a potentially valuable feature, particularly in today’s uncertain market.
Now, is it an oversimplification to say that the upgrade to GDP growth is just down to Taylor Swift and Beyoncé? It is, to a degree, no matter how popular they are—and they are very popular indeed.
