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U.S. Dollar Strength Continues to Impact U.S. Multinationals
by Jeremy Schwartz of WisdomTree, Inc.,
S&P 500 Index has traded inversely to the currency moves over recent years, and it has become increasingly negatively negatively correlated. One reason, we believe, is that a growing share of revenue and profits for U.S. corporations comes from overseas—and that share seems likely to increase with the globalization of the economy.
Gary Shilling - Why You Should Own Bonds
by Robert Huebscher,
If you followed Gary Shilling's advice for the last 30 years, you would be very wealthy. Since 1981, Shilling has consistently advocated owning long-dated Treasury securities. In a talk last week, he reiterated that advice as one piece of his three-part asset-allocation strategy for the coming year.
The Devastation Awaiting Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
by Keith Jurow,
Real estate investment euphoria is widespread. An asset class for which Wall Street has provided little useful information - residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) - is especially vulnerable if this euphoria is misplaced.
Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Pension Fund Managers
by John Mauldin of Mauldin Economics,
We do not have to look to Greece to find massively underfunded obligations. Here in the US we can find hundreds of examples, willingly created by politicians and businessmen who proclaim they are working for the public good. We call them pension funds, but they’re just another form of unfunded debt. A sovereign bond is a promise to pay a certain amount of money over time.
From Russia with Love?
by Jeffrey Saut of Raymond James,
The big news late last week was German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s and French President Francois Hollande’s emergency trip to Russia for peace talks with President Putin. Obviously, the situation in the Ukraine is heating up again or such Herculean efforts would not be undertaken.
On My Radar: Go Ahead Angela, Make My Day
I spend a great deal of time writing about valuations, probable future returns (near record lows today), portfolio construction and risk management. Reflecting on four days of non-stop sessions, media interviews and meetings at the Inside ETFs Annual Conference this past week, I thought I’d share several key takeaways with you.
Scott Mather Discusses PIMCO’s Total Return Strategy
by Scott Mather of PIMCO,
Bonds have continued to rally so far this year, even as the Federal Reserve contemplates raising interest rates. In the following interview, Scott Mather, CIO U.S. Core Strategies, discusses recent developments in the bond markets, the outlook for the year ahead and the investment implications for PIMCO’s Total Return Strategy. Mather co-manages the strategy with Mark Kiesel, CIO Global Credit, and Mihir Worah, CIO Real Return and Asset Allocation.
Earnings Season Highlights and Lowlights
by Burt White of LPL Financial,
In this commentary we look at some of the highlights and lowlights of fourth quarter
earnings season. Despite the massive drag from the energy sector and the negative impact of a strong U.S. dollar, fourth quarter 2014 earnings are on track to exceed prior estimates. We maintain our 5?-?10% earnings growth forecast for 2015* and believe cheaper energy costs will help us get there.
Mohamed El-Erian: Beware the Bubble in Liquidity
by Robert Huebscher,
In 2000, it was technology stocks. In 2007, it was real-estate prices. Among today's overvalued asset classes, which one will crash most spectacularly when the bubble bursts? Mohamed El-Erian, the chief economic advisor at Allianz, thinks he knows the answer.
Greece Dependency Has Created Dangerous Illusions
by John Browne of Euro Pacific Capital,
Once again the crisis in Greece is threatening the unity of the entire euro zone. Many analysts are asking what must be done to restore viability to the Union's weakest link. Lost in this discussion is that modern Greece, formed in 1830, has never really been required to stand on its own. Generations of support from abroad, typically given for strategic reasons, has created a false sense of prosperity in the country and has prevented the Greeks from accepting the realities of their current situation.
Freeing Up Time for Growth Activities
We devote most of our time to client communications and portfolio changes. These are the activities that fuel business, so I am reluctant to spend less time doing them. My preference would be to provide the same level of investment and client service but to find time to grow as well. Do you any tips for me?
Greek Games
After the Syriza party won 149 of the 300 seats in the Jan. 24th Greek elections, European markets have been roiled by worries over another crisis developing. In this report, we use game theory to describe the situation between Greece and the EU/Germany/ECB. This method shows how misunderstandings can develop and how catastrophic mistakes are made. Using this structure, we will outline the positions and perceptions of both sides and describe how this situation could lead to another crisis. As always, we will finish with market ramifications.
The International Ramifications of ECB QE
by Andrew Bosomworth of PIMCO,
By engaging in quantitative easing, the European Central Bank is pursuing its inflation mandate with a vengeance. Overall, we think the combination of quantitative easing, investment and lower oil prices will help eurozone growth reach approximately 1.3% in 2015. Global central bank balance sheets continue to expand: Although the Federal Reserve stopped purchasing assets in 2014, the Bank of Japan and now the ECB have stepped up buying bonds where the Fed left off.
Outlook and Positioning
Alex Crooke, Head of Global Equity Income, provides a review of the Henderson Global Equity Income Fund's (HFQAX) recent performance and current positioning as well as providing an update on recent events in Europe. Alex notes that the action of the ECB (European Central Bank) starting a quantitative easing (QE) program as the most significant factor driving markets over the next 6 months. While he believes the program will be a slow modest start with monthly purchases around 60trillion Euros, it should gain traction over the next year or two.
Expect a Decade of 1.7% Portfolio Returns from a Conventional Asset Mix
by John Hussman of Hussman Funds,
The problem for investors here is that risk premiums are compressed in equities at a time when bonds offer no way out. When risk premiums are compressed across the board, conventional asset allocations are very much like trying to squeeze water from a stone. We project a 10-year nominal annual portfolio total return averaging only about 1.7% annually for anything close to a standard portfolio mix of equities, bonds and cash, regardless of how much diversification one has within each of those asset classes.
The Eurozone: Collateral Damage
by John Mauldin of Mauldin Economics,
Now we're watching another Greek drama that could have significant unintended consequences – far beyond anything the market has priced in today. Then again, maybe not. Maybe the market is right this time. When we enter unknown territory, who knows what we will find? Fertile valleys and treasure, or deserts and devastation? Today we look at the situation in Europe and ponder what we don't know. Greece provides a wonderful learning opportunity.
The Power of Lower Oil Prices
by Byron Wien of Blackstone,
The Ten Surprises of 2015 have two prevailing themes. The more dominant is that the decline in the price of oil is generally a positive for the world. It puts money in the pockets of consumers everywhere and it is likely to force Iran and Russia to be more conciliatory in geopolitical negotiations because both countries are suffering not only from the drop in the oil price, but also from the sanctions imposed on them. The second theme is that in spite of notable economic problems in Europe, China and Japan, the United States equity market will have another good year.
Quarterly Letter
by Team of Grey Owl Capital Management,
Over the past seven months the price of oil has plunged from a peak above $100/barrel to the mid-$40s today. This is just the most extreme version of the market volatility and divergence we began highlighting in our second quarter letter. A cautious investment stance remains the prudent choice.
Diving Into the Payroll Report: Wages Rebound (But Don't Get Too Excited), Revisions, Huge Jump in L
Wages rebounded from the dip last month (but don't get too excited as per details below). Also, there were big upward revisions to many prior numbers. The unemployment rate rose this month because of a huge increase in the labor force. The civilian institutional population also leaped this month, and apparently these newly-found people are all looking for work.
Global Opportunities: The Next Leap Forward for Defined Contribution Investment Menus
Under ERISA, fiduciaries are obligated to ensure plan menus provide diverse investment options to help minimize the risk of long-term losses in account values. Global, non-traditional equity and fixed income options are sorely lacking in Defined Contribution (DC) plan menus. These op-tions can offer both lower correlation to U.S. markets and potentially strong returns, which par-ticipants increasingly need given the uncertainty surrounding Social Security’s future benefit levels.
Should I Stay or Should I Go: Global Diversification Could be 2015’s Winner
by Liz Ann Sonders of Charles Schwab,
Last year ended on a weak note for US equities; and January continued the trend; Divergences will remain a theme and likely keep volatility elevated; US investors haven’t felt the need to diversify globally…they should
The 2015 Economic Outlook: Opportunities and Risks
In 2014, the global economy grew at roughly the same pace as the prior year. However, the composition was notably different. Developed market economies grew at a faster pace, while growth slowed in emerging market economies. The dollar strengthened and commodity prices weakened. Overall, we expect these trends to continue in 2015.
Germany's "Time Pressure" Thesis; Noose Tightens on Europe
Today German Chancellor Angela Merkel proclaimed Greek Diplomatic Offensive Is Failing. Merkel’s Christian Democratic-led bloc in parliament has agreed not to give in to any “bad compromise that “defacto adds up to a debt writedown,” Hans-Peter Friedrich, a deputy leader of the caucus, said in an interview today.
The Pursuit of Pricing Power
Recent oil and commodity price declines have raised concerns about global deflation and price stability. While the circumstances around oil’s precipitous decline are unique, many industries have built up capacity in recent years to serve a level of global growth that is not likely to reappear in the intermediate future.
Ditch the Good, Buy the Bad and the Ugly
In a new quarterly letter to GMO's institutional clients, co-head of asset allocation Ben Inker provides background on why, "as the New Year begins, we in Asset Allocation find ourselves slowly selling down even our beloved U.S. quality stocks in favor of the various problem children of the investing world" ("Ditch the Good, Buy the Bad and the Ugly").
Is the stock market sliding off an icy road?
As declines were registered in the major stock market indexes in December, the fear index certainly also increased among investors. Now with January, again, ending in the negative column, I imagine even more investors are beginning to fear that the bull market surge that began in 2009 may be coming to an end.
Why global currency investing still makes sense
by Michael A. Cirami, Eric Stein, John R. Baur, Matthew F. Murphy, Jr., Bradford Godfrey of Eaton Vance,
Why global currency investing still makes sense – even amid a strong dollar
We believe there are three reasons why many investors should remain committed to a diversified global currency strategy – even if the US dollar remains strong.
The Opportunity in Volatility
by Heather Rupp of AdvisorShares,
While 2014 was characterized largely by the lack of volatility for most the year, and active management suffered as a result, we see those tables turning in 2015 as we expect this volatility to continue. As we sit today, we see an attractive entry point into the high yield market for active managers who can parse through the space to determine where there is value to be had, and where there are value-traps.
What's Up? Quantitative Easing and Inflation
The Fed has ceased its program of quantitative easing (QE) and may soon begin to raise interest rates. Japan has embarked on an even more aggressive program of QE. The European Central Bank (ECB) has just begun QE. In a related development, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) recently stopped pegging the Swiss franc to the euro. Many investors are asking, “What does all this monetary turmoil mean?”
Woody Hayes on Portfolio Management
“There are three things that can happen when you pass the football and two of them are bad,” observed The Ohio State University’s legendary coach Woody Hayes. All the Seahawk fans, myself included, know exactly what he is talking about since the Seahawks chose to pass the ball at the one-yard line. You can complete a pass, you can throw it for an incompletion, or you can throw it to the other team (an interception). The same thing can be said for existing common stocks in your equity portfolio.
The Absolute Return Letter - January 2015
by Team of Absolute Return Partners,
In large parts of the financial community there is a strongly held belief that the problems which caused the credit crisis back in 2008-09 have never been properly addressed, causing many to suspect that it is only a matter of time before the ‘end game’ is upon us – the credit crisis Mk. II so to speak. I will in the following pages look at various ways the end game might unfold but, before I do so, I shall return to one of the subjects I discussed in the January letter – the end of cheap oil – which caused a flurry of comments and questions.
The Bravado of Borrowers
by Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital,
Last week a scene unfolded in Athens, largely unnoticed by American eyes, that provided all the visual and metaphorical symbols needed to define the current state of the global economy. Hollywood's best screenwriters couldn't have laid it out any better.
A Greek Morality Tale
When the euro crisis began a half-decade ago, Keynesian economists predicted that the austerity imposed on Greece and the other crisis countries would fail. Now that it has, what is needed is not structural reform in Greece so much as a fundamental reform of the eurozone's design and policy frameworks.
How to Link Retirement Strategies to Sustainable-Spending Rates
by Wade Pfau,
Last week, my article introduced the Retirement Accumulation and Retirement Affordability indices, which help clients determine if they are retiring at a good time. In this article, I will present my new Retirement Dashboard. More specifically, I will explain how advisors can determine the appropriate sustainable-spending rate based on their client's desired spending pattern.
Municipal Market Perspectives
by Team of SMC Fixed Income Management,
Pick your poison: weaker oil and copper prices; increasing gold demand; Swiss Franc and Canadian Dollar devaluations; another possible Greek tragedy; launch of European Central Bank (“ECB”) bond buying program; waning emerging markets; weakening U.S. stock prices; global deflation worries. It appears to us that the broadening global weakness could be beginning to negatively impact the U.S. expansion. Given the current state of global events, we see no reason for the Fed to prematurely move ahead with its rate normalization plan as many anticipate occurring by mid-year 2015.
Portfolio Strategies 2015: Investing in an Age of Divergence
by John Mauldin of Mauldin Economics,
Everyone is worried about being blindsided by a significant downdraft in the markets when maybe we should be thinking about making sure we don’t miss a bull market somewhere. These and several dozen other topics were on the table when the Mauldin Economics writing team gathered here in Dallas for 3½ days of intensive talk, interviews, and planning. Today we’ll go over a few of the highlights of this last week, and I’ll share a few reasons to be optimistic about 2015.
Weekly Market Summary
by Urban Carmel of The Fat Pitch,
SPX has now fallen 4 of the last 5 weeks, including this past one. For the week, SPX and DJIA each lost nearly 3% and NDX lost 0.8%. Tthe indices and most of the sectors have fallen under their key moving averages. Many of these now have a declining slope. Over the past month, price has made lower highs. All of this suggests that the trend is down. Moreover, bullish set ups are failing, a warning that price has not reached an oversold level. Despite the sell off, breadth and longer term measurements of sentiment have not washed out to an extent that would suggest a low is in place. Finally, th
Opportunities and Risks for Investors After the Oil Price Slump?
by Daniel Lacalle of PIMCO,
What we are seeing now is that oil prices, when OPEC refuses to balance the market, test the marginal cost of production, and costs fall. Some of the costs of the largest components of oil projects – high-spec sixth-generation rigs, pressure pumping, seismic, completion – have fallen between 20% and 45% in the space of months as overcapacity became evident and capital expenditure was revised downward.
PIMCO Extends Its Dividend Suite With Two New Regional Strategies
by Brad Kinkelaar, Adam Muller of PIMCO,
As is the case with our other dividend strategies, we are unconstrained by benchmarks and focused on generating yield and capital appreciation by finding attractively valued companies that pay appealing dividends today and have an ability and willingness to grow dividends over time.
Results 8,151–8,200
of 10,168 found.
