Women & Planning

Historically, investors have struggled to add meaningful alpha through security selection. A dynamic new credit scoring approach could change that.

As GMO celebrates its 30th anniversary managing emerging debt this year, we offer our comprehensive guide to emerging debt markets. Given the tumultuous recent events – a global pandemic, defaults, repricing of interest rates, relentless strength in the U.S. dollar – we’ll focus on the Why as a starting point. Then we’ll dive into the proliferating How, covering strategies and vehicles.

In my cycles book I’m reviewing the forecasts of Neil Howe, Peter Turchin, George Friedman, and Ray Dalio. For different historical reasons and patterns, all see a crisis culminating at the end of this decade. Some readers have legitimately pushed back, saying no one knows the future.

The most glaring uncertainties today, which contributed to early August seeing some of the largest market moves in the last several years, are the risks associated with the Federal Reserve’s dual mandate.

The BlackRock Flexible Income ETF (BINC) launched less than 15 months ago and is already approaching $4 billion in AUM.

Recent macroeconomic and geopolitical developments, along with shifting AI sentiment, have raised concerns over whether strong headline returns, low volatility, and persistent mega cap tech leadership can continue as we look ahead.

It's been another strong first half for the U.S. ETF industry, with overall flows set to challenge or surpass historic records.

As part of our annual tradition, we’ve reached out to Russell Investments’ associate base to come up with four recommended books for this year’s summer reading list. Below are our choices, which cover a wide variety of topics, including leadership development, diversity and inclusion and the artificial intelligence revolution.

The Asian high-yield market is evolving faster than investor perceptions.

In the second half of the year, investors will likely be navigating a potential divergence in monetary policy among the major economy central banks, a more normalized U.S. interest rate regime, and an equity market that may favor quality.

I’m writing you from Cape Town, South Africa, where I’ve been warmly welcomed and reminded how much I enjoy international travel (well, except for jet lag!). Our world has so many wonders most people never get to experience. Of course, “there’s no place like home,” but seeing other places makes me happy, too.

We share some of the highlights from the past year that led to significant improvements in environmental protection, corporate governance, and transparency.

More than 338,000 Americans relocated for retirement last year – a 44% increase from 2022 – and about a quarter of those retirees moved to a different state.

An AI bubble may be simmering in the background, so for investors still looking for AI ETFs, it may be worth taking a discerning look around.

What do people really mean when they talk about impact investing? Typically they’re referring to investments made with the intention of generating measurable social or environmental benefits in addition to financial return.

Discover the reasons investors diversify their portfolio with alternative investments.

Investors have been opting for intermediate-term bonds funds as uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's policy looms.

From biodiversity and blended finance to a just transition and the cost of drugs, we preview the key ESG issues we’re targeting through research.

ESG is a massive topic; in fact, so big that it is hard to give it justice in the approximately 1,500 words I have at my disposal in these monthly letters. Consequently, I have decided to split it over two months.

On Jan. 30, Senior Director and Head of ESG and Investment Management Kris Tomasovic Nelson moderated an online discussion exploring the findings of Russell Investments’ 2023 Manager ESG Survey. In its ninth year, the annual survey offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ESG practices within the investment management industry.

This week, more than 400 members of the Women in ETFs (WE) organization gathered to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary. The New York City event was just the latest opportunity for community members to exchange ideas and learn together.

Since the 1980s, we have celebrated and honored female trailblazers, who have shaped our history and advocated for change, during Women’s History Month.

The real estate sector represents a mere 2.31% of the S&P 500. Just two sectors – materials and utilities – command smaller allocations in the benchmark domestic equity gauge. That low weight garnered by real estate stocks and REITs belies the popularity of those assets among investors.

Emerging markets debt proved sturdy in 2023. And more of the same could be on the way this year. That’s because fixed income investors are looking outside of the U.S. for elevated levels of income.

Why we believe small companies present key opportunities to tap into the heart of innovation and expansion in emerging markets.

The 60/40 portfolio has long been the foundation of portfolio construction. But over the past two years, this portfolio strategy has broken down. The 60/40 portfolio faces several challenges. To understand what might lie ahead, investors need to assess both recent inflationary forces and historic trends.

AB’s Chief Responsibility Officer previews areas of research focus for our Responsible Investing teams in 2024.

Every new year provides an opportunity for fresh starts and to reimagine what is possible. As such, we offer a list of four New Year’s resolutions for advisors. Kick your 2024 off right by making these promises to yourself.

Kathlyn Collins, Head of Responsible Investment and Stewardship, says a renewed purpose among regulators and pressure from investors is yielding breakthroughs in the governance and the capital efficiency of Japan’s-listed companies.

The cornerstone of diversification is the allocation of investments to counterbalance losses and dampen volatility. But what happens when traditional assets, like stocks and bonds, move in lockstep as they are now?

Starting portfolio yields may be a better guide to optimal spending than knowledge of future market returns.

The life story of Charlie Munger, who passed away on Tuesday at age 99, serves as a shining example of the enduring American Dream, especially now at a time when many people doubt whether the promise of a better life is still intact.

Our 2023 Manager ESG Survey shows that transparency around DEI data is increasing among investment managers. The results reveal that equity product managers in particular are more inclined to share DEI data compared to managers in other asset classes.

CIO designate Sean Taylor gives his take on what Asia has to offer global and emerging markets investors, from growth, to diversification, to innovation.

A new psychological contract is transforming the modern workplace, highlighted by an increase in collective actions and changing employee expectations.

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.

At a recent educational event organized by Franklin Templeton, Franklin Templeton Institute’s Senior Alternative Investment Strategist Tony Davidow hosted a day of panels that focused on alternative investments.

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.

Earlier this October, VettaFi announced that the Susan G. Komen Foundation would be the cause of the month. October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. VettaFi is pleased to announce that it will be taking its support to the next level.

ESG isn’t a new concept. In recent years, it’s gained more attention and assets thanks partly to the proliferation of related ETFs.

Russell Investments’ 2023 Manager ESG Survey, now in its ninth year, continues to offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ESG practices within the investment management industry.

A multi-asset approach to sustainable investing brings a broad and more balanced palette to paint with.

There is a growing movement among investors to align their portfolio to their values or belief systems. Advisors can use Direct Indexing products and Separately Managed Accounts to help their clients pursue faith- or values-based investing.