Services Tags: Investment Consulting

Will the Spread of Coronavirus Drive a Risk-Off Market?

Global markets have come under pressure as the number of coronavirus cases grows. Through January 27th, the S&P 500 is down 3% from its mid-January peak when the U.S.-China phase one trade deal was signed. The 10-year Treasury yield has fallen from 1.85% to 1.61% over this same period, as bond spreads widened and the dollar strengthened.

This newsletter summarizes recent market activity and potential implications of the spread of coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China. For long-term investors, this outbreak is likely nothing but noise; however, future news about the coronavirus could impact markets in the short-term.

Download PDF > Will the Spread of Coronavirus Drive a Risk-Off Market?

 

The opinions expressed herein are those of Marquette Associates, Inc. (“Marquette”), and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to purchase or sell any product. Marquette reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs.

Marquette Associates Continues to Expand Wealth Consulting Capabilities

CHICAGO, IL, February 13, 2019 – Marquette Associates, Inc. today announced plans to expand its wealth consulting offerings with an ownership interest in Milwaukee-based investment adviser, Operose Advisors LLC.

“Providing a high net worth solution built upon our institutional approach has been a key focus of our long-term strategy over the last number of years,” said Brian Wrubel, President & CEO of Marquette. “Operose shares our culture of client service and our investment philosophy. This partnership creates an integrated solution for private clients with assets ranging between $1-25 million and small market investment advisory opportunities.”

Operose Advisors provides investment advisory and wealth management services to individuals, families, trusts, and closely-held businesses. By partnering with Operose, Marquette will establish its fifth office and continue to expand its presence in Wisconsin. Managing Partner Nicholas Bauer, CFA, leads Operose Advisors and has 20 years of investment experience. He and his team in Milwaukee will ensure continuity of service, while leveraging Marquette’s institutional model and benefiting from added resources.

Marquette also welcomed Aimee O’Connor, CFP® as a senior vice president in January to continue expanding the firm’s ultra-high net worth/family office capabilities based in Chicago. As a senior investment consultant, Aimee is involved in the daily management and administration of Marquette’s private client relationships. She has 14 years of investment experience including work as an independent consultant working with RIAs, family offices, and high net worth individuals. Previously, she was the co-director of consulting and senior consultant at DiMeo Schneider & Associates.

“We are excited at the opportunity to add Aimee to our team. Her considerable background working with private clients is a great fit as we steadily grow this part of our business,” said Wrubel. “The partnership with Operose, and the addition of Aimee, uniquely positions Marquette to offer a cost-effective, institutional approach for private families of all sizes.”

About Operose Advisors
Operose Advisors LLC is an investment adviser registered with the State of Wisconsin. We are dedicated to growing the wealth, knowledge and professional networks of the clients we serve by employing an institutional approach to wealth management.

About Marquette Associates
Marquette Associates is a Chicago-based, independent investment consulting firm that guides institutional investment programs with a focused client service approach and careful research. Marquette has served a single mission since 1986 – enable institutions to be more effective investment stewards. Marquette places client fiduciary duties first through complete independence and 100% employee ownership. The firm currently serves more than 385 clients with over $182 billion in assets – from public funds, unions and corporations to endowments, foundations and other non-profits. For more information, please visit www.marquetteassociates.com.

Contact:
Brian M. Wrubel, 312.527.5500
bwrubel@marquetteassociates.com

Print Update

2020 Market Preview

2019 was certainly a profitable year for investors as traditional and alternative asset classes delivered positive returns.  As we enter 2020, there are a litany of questions facing global markets ranging from the U.S. election to trade disputes to global monetary policy, all of which will undoubtedly influence investment returns. The following newsletters examine the primary asset classes we cover for our clients, with in-depth analysis of last year’s performance and more importantly, trends, themes, and projections to watch for in 2020.

We hope these materials can assist you and your committees as you plan for the coming year, and please feel free to reach out to any of us should you have further questions about the articles. We have also produced a 2020 Market Preview video if you would like to hear a high-level summary of the market previews. Here’s to another positive year from the markets in 2020!

U.S. Economy: Signs of Slowing?
by Greg Leonberger, FSA, EA, MAAA, Partner, Director of Research

Fixed Income: The New Roaring Twenties — Will It Be Different This Time?
by Ben Mohr, CFA, Director of Fixed Income

U.S. Equities: Climbing the Wall of Worry
by Robert Britenbach, CFA, CIPM Research Analyst, U.S. Equities

Non-U.S. Equities: Big Expectations, Little Wiggle Room
by David Hernandez, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Non-U.S. Equities
and Nicole Johnson-Barnes, CFA, Research Analyst

Real Estate: What Will Happen Next?
by Jeremy Zirin, CAIA, Senior Research Analyst, Real Assets

Infrastructure: The Energy Revolution Is Driving the Future of Infrastructure
by Jeremy Zirin, CAIA, Senior Research Analyst, Real Assets

Hedge Funds: Rising Geopolitical Risks and a U.S. Election Could Lead to Tempered Expectations
by Joe McGuane, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Alternatives

Private Equity: As Asset Class Grows, Continues to Deliver for Investors
by Derek Schmidt, CFA, CAIA, Director of Private Equity

Private Credit: An Asset Class Coming Into Its Own
by Brett Graffy, CAIA, Research Analyst

To read the above files in one combined document > 2020 Market Preview

 

The opinions expressed herein are those of Marquette Associates, Inc. (“Marquette”), and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to purchase or sell any product. Marquette reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs.

Marquette Associates Ownership Update

CHICAGO, IL, February 8, 2019 – Marquette Associates, Inc. today announced an update to the firm’s succession plan in a continuing effort to strengthen the firm’s stability and ongoing growth. The three largest shareholders will sell 30% of their ownership to the existing shareholder base. The current leadership at Marquette will remain in place – there are no planned retirements and the firm will remain under the leadership of President & CEO Brian Wrubel for the foreseeable future.

“Marquette has always been defined by our people, our client service and our independence. We have a talented group of investment professionals that are assuming more active leadership responsibilities and as an employee-owned firm, we are accountable to our clients and to each other and have worked since our founding in 1986 to grow the firm responsibly and with our clients’ interests at the forefront,” said Wrubel. “This restructuring acknowledges our commitment to Marquette’s next generation of leaders and is an important step for Marquette in continuing to broaden and diversify the firm’s ownership base.”

With the ambiguity that has become common within the investment consulting industry surrounding consolidation and outside capital, Marquette remains committed to independent ownership and transparency for its clients. The firm strongly believes that the talent, discipline, and care demonstrated by its managing partners will secure its position as one of the leading employee-owned investment consulting firms for years to come.

About Marquette Associates
Marquette Associates is a Chicago-based, independent investment consulting firm that guides institutional investment programs with a focused client service approach and careful research. Marquette has served a single mission since 1986 – enable institutions to be more effective investment stewards. Marquette places client fiduciary duties first through complete independence and 100% employee ownership. The firm currently serves more than 385 clients with over $182 billion in assets – from public funds, unions and corporations to endowments, foundations and other non-profits. For more information, please visit www.marquetteassociates.com.

Contact:
Brian M. Wrubel, 312.527.5500
bwrubel@marquetteassociates.com

Print Update

2020 Market Preview Video

This video coincides with our annual Market Preview newsletters and includes a recap of 2019’s performance and what investors can expect heading into 2020. 2019 was certainly a profitable year for investors as traditional and alternative asset classes delivered positive returns. As we enter 2020, there are a litany of questions facing global markets ranging from the U.S. election to trade disputes to global monetary policy, all of which will undoubtedly influence investment returns.

This video is part of our Market Insights series, a quarterly presentation designed to brief clients on the market as soon as possible after quarterly market data becomes available. Members of our research team discuss the overall U.S. economy, along with fixed income, U.S. and non-U.S. equity, hedge funds, private equity, real estate, and infrastructure.

For more information, questions, or feedback, please send us an email.

Jeremy Zirin Speaking at NAREIM Capital Raising & Investor Relations Meeting 12/5

On Wednesday, December 5, Jeremy Zirin, CAIA will be speaking at the 2018 National Association of Real Estate Investment Manager’s (NAREIM) Capital Raising & Investor Relations Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

As a senior research analyst in real estate, Jeremy will be participating in an interactive discussion regarding the challenges facing institutional investors as they deploy allocations and construct portfolios in the commercial real estate market. The discussion seeks to illustrate the panelists’ outlook for the real estate asset class and how each responds to the need to diversify investor bases.

For more information, please visit the event page.

Illinois Pension Consolidation Act

On December 18th, 2019, Governor Pritzker officially signed Public Act 101-0610 into law, which then took effect on January 1st, 2020. A large portion of this new law (the “Pension Consolidation Act”) requires all 649 Illinois suburban and downstate police and firefighters pension funds — previously established as prescribed by Articles 3 and 4, respectively, of the Illinois Pension Code — to consolidate their assets into two new statewide funds: one for all police pension funds and one for all firefighter pension funds.

This legislative update covers the background and reasoning for consolidating these public safety pension funds, lays out the established timeline for the consolidation process, and details the ongoing responsibilities, requirements, and structure of both current local boards and the transition and permanent boards for the newly established funds.

Read > Illinois Pension Consolidation Act Legislative Update

While there is still some uncertainty regarding the implementation and timing of the transition, Marquette will continue to monitor new announcements closely and provide regular updates to our Article 3 and 4 pension fund clients as details emerge. Also included in this update are several key points we consider of utmost importance as the transition boards begin implementing the Act, including governance, infrastructure, personnel, a transition plan, and implementation. We are prepared to work with the consolidated funds, auditors, and any other necessary service providers to ensure our clients experience a transition that is as seamless as possible.

For further information or questions, please contact your consultant.

 

The opinions expressed herein are those of Marquette Associates, Inc. (“Marquette”), and are subject to change without notice. This material is not financial advice or an offer to purchase or sell any product. Marquette reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs. Information contained herein should not be construed as legal advice.

Nat Kellogg Speaking at SBAI Institutional Investor Roundtable 11/28

On Wednesday, November 28, Nat Kellogg, CFA, will be speaking at the Standards Board for Alternative Investments (SBAI) Institutional Investor Roundtable in Chicago.

Nat will be joining the “Allocator Panel,” featuring senior representatives from various investment managers, funds, and consultants. The discussion will focus on two main topics:

Allocation priorities

  • Alpha vs. beta
  • Search for Alpha – where next?
  • Alignment and fees – what is the state of play?

Governance of pension funds – outsourcing versus internalising – an eternal circle?

  • Where to draw the line?
  • Benchmarking of internal capabilities
  • How much experience to retain?
  • Does size matter?
  • Implications for alternatives allocation

The SBAI brings together managers, investors and other industry parties to tackle topical issues through practical case studies and interactive discussions, with the belief that responsible standards of practice strengthen the alternative investment industry for the benefit of both investors and managers.

For more information, please visit the SBAI events page.

Marquette Featured in Diverse Manager Search Article

On September 11, Marquette investment consultant Kweku Obed was quoted in a FundFire article on diverse managers and consultants adopting an NFL-style “Rooney Rule” for manager searches to help promote diversity in institutional investment portfolios. The NFL’s “Rooney Rule” is named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and requires teams to interview minority candidates for coaching positions. Marquette will include at least one diversity candidate in every traditional equity and fixed income manager search that meets client investment objectives, minimum investment and vehicle requirements.

Marquette has worked with diverse managers for decades, with increasing focus over the past 10 years. Last year alone, Marquette clients invested over $500 million with diverse managers that were included in searches. Since 2012, Marquette has also requested that all investment managers disclose ownership composition as part of the manager search process. This information is included in Marquette manager search materials for clients.

“What we wanted to do is just reconfirm to the marketplace what we’ve already been doing and just a way to highlight Marquette’s role,” Kweku said. “Unfortunately, in the industry, there’s this notion that you’re giving up quality and ability to do well if you go with a diverse manager. With diverse managers, we’re looking at the best in class and we believe they have the ability to do just as well as other managers. As fiduciaries it’s our job to hit target rates of returns and do it in a risk-controlled manner.”

Approaches to including diverse managers in the search process vary widely among investment consulting firms. In contrast to another firm mentioned in the article, Marquette does not give bonuses to consultants based on interaction with diverse managers. The firm also does not have a separate diverse manager search committee.

“If you ask anyone in the industry and any manager, all they are looking to do is level the playing field,” Kweku said, making the point that a separate committee implies that these managers are not being viewed equally. Marquette’s investment committee reviews and compares managers relative to other managers. A list of the largest diverse investment managers for various asset classes is also published on a regular basis to keep Marquette consultants and clients informed of diversity opportunities. The Marquette research team will not only look at quant-heavy factors like returns, track records and standard deviation, but also the manager’s philosophy. Marquette has an open-door policy with diverse managers and hosts diverse manager events throughout the year, with the next one taking place either at the end of this year or early 2019.

FundFire has featured Marquette expertise on diverse and emerging manager search in several articles recently, including an article in May on an emerging managers merger and an August 2017 article on the increasing use of emerging managers by endowments and foundations.

The July 2017 Investment Perspectives newsletter, Don’t You Know, We’re Talking About An Evolution?, contributed to the institutional investor community conversation on the measurable benefits of incorporating diverse investment firms by exploring solutions to top challenges.

To read the article, visit the FundFire website (subscription required).