1Q 2009 Investment Perspectives

April 15, 2009 | Greg Leonberger, FSA, EA, MAAA, FCA, Director of Research, Managing Partner

Understanding Sovereign Wealth Funds
Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) were first introduced as an investment vehicle more than seventy years ago, but their popularity has greatly increased over the past two decades. Although SWF have received criticism regarding their political involvement and influence over sector growth, economists believe more countries will start to introduce and further expand their involvement in SWF. Since SWF are becoming larger players in global financial markets, it is important to understand the motivation, structure and main players in the SWF arena.

Stimulus Bill Signed into Law, Mortgage Relief Plan Unveiled
Two major programs designed to halt the negative momentum of the financial crisis were recently announced: the stimulus bill and the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan. If successful, both of these initiatives could help reverse the direction of the current economy and restore positive growth. In the following, we summarize the highlights of each announcement.

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