Kweku Obed Speaking at CFA Institute Careers Webinar Series Event 8/1

On Thursday, August 1, Kweku Obed, CFA, CAIA will be speaking on a webinar hosted by CFA Institute for CFA Program candidates.

The first webinar in the series, this event will “zoom into” Investment Consulting and address the following topics and questions for attendees.

  • What do Investment Consultants do day-to-day?
  • What are the key skills and attributes you need to be a successful Investment Consultant?
  • What are the most common ways into the industry?
  • How does the CFA Program set you up for success in the Investment Consulting industry?

For more information, please visit the event webpage.

2024 Market Preview Video

This video is a recording of a live webinar held January 25 by Marquette’s research team analyzing 2023 across the economy and various asset classes as well as what trends and themes we’ll be monitoring in the year ahead.

Our quarterly Market Insights series examines the primary asset classes we cover for clients including the U.S. economy, fixed income, U.S. and non-U.S. equities, hedge funds, real assets, and private markets, with commentary by our research analysts and directors.

Sign up for research alerts to be invited to future webinars and notified when we publish new videos. If you have any questions, please send us an email.

Patrick Wing and Sam Frymier Speaking at PSACC 2024 Annual Conference 7/23

On Tuesday, July 23, Patrick W. Wing, CFA, CIPM and Sam Frymier will be speaking at the Pennsylvania State Association of Country Controllers’ (PSACC) 2024 Annual Conference in York, PA.

Pat and Sam will be presenting a session entitled, “Tales from the Road: A Consultant’s Perspective.” The annual conference gives controllers, deputies, and their solicitors the opportunity to participate in roundtable discussions and receive training on various topics related to the responsibilities of the controller’s office and county government. For more information, visit the PSACC website.

Marquette Speaking at ALTSCHI 2024 Forum 7/22–23

On July 22–23, Dave Smith, CFAKweku Obed, CFA, CAIA, and Greg Leonberger, FSA, EA, MAAA, FCA will be speaking at ALTSCHI 2024, jointly produced by Markets Group, CFA Society Chicago, and the CAIA Association®.

Dave will be joining a panel on the 22nd entitled, “Opening Keynote Panel: Innovation Unleashed: The Rise of Total Portfolio Approach,” described as follows: As some of Strategic Asset Allocation’s shortcomings become clearer, select global asset owners have begun experimenting and transitioning to a more holistic approach to building portfolios. Total Portfolio Approach, while more a “state of mind,” than a tangible linear process, can offer improvements in culture, competition for capital, governance, and investment outcomes. How should investment professionals assess its fit for their organization and where should they begin?

Kweku will be moderating a panel shortly after entitled, “Keynote Panel: Private Market Investments – Time to Shine,” described as follows: As investors search for additional sources of revenue and methods for portfolio diversification in the volatile and changing environment, private markets stand out as an area of opportunity. The panel brings together leading alternatives investors and allocators to share the role private equity, private debt, venture capital, and more play in their portfolios and what they look for in managers to meet their objectives in these asset classes. Panelists will address risks and opportunities across capital structures, expected returns, and the operational requirements for managing the unique complexities in private markets.

On July 23, Greg will be moderating a panel entitled, “Infrastructure, Critical Materials, and Clean Energy Investments—What will the Path to Growth Look Like?” described as follows: What is the outlook for U.S. infrastructure, energy security, and critical minerals supply? What is the scope for public-private partnerships in the absence of a national development plan? There are still many questions about the measurement and due diligence surrounding ESG so how are fund managers and allocators capitalizing on the opportunities while minimizing the risks, and how can a more positive impact on the environment take shape?

ALTSCHI is developed and led by the CAIA Association and CFA Society Chicago and is specifically designed to provide relevant, education-focused content for individuals who manage, advise, allocate to, or oversee alternative investments. With leading allocating and management firms, the agenda will include topics such as global asset allocation, risk management, private markets, real assets, alternative beta strategies, private equity, hedge funds, ESG, crypto, and more. For more information, please visit the event webpage.

Great Expectations

After ending 2023 with a steep market rally, 2024 began on a more muted note, with Fed-pivot exuberance giving way to the details of execution. Of the many opportunities and risks facing markets this year, one of the most scrutinized will likely be how the Fed’s interest rate cuts compare to market expectations.

This newsletter analyzes current expectations for interest rate movements this year and potential scenarios that could influence the Fed’s policy decisions.

Jack Sannes Speaking at CFNEIA Professional Advisor Education Series 7/16

On Tuesday, July 16, Jack Sannes, CFA, CAIA will be speaking at a Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s 2024 Professional Advisor Education Series event in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Jack will be presenting an overview of private equity and private credit investing for attendees. The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa serves as a resource for attorneys, financial planners, CPAs, and other professionals to simplify giving for clients, recommend strategies, and help advisors connect with the community. Their quarterly series of complimentary charitable continuing education events brings together professional advisors around topics that will help to enrich their communities. For more information, please visit the CFNEIA website.

Defined Contribution Plan Legislative Update – 1Q 2024

This legislative update covers proposed regulation by the Department of Labor defining “investment fiduciary,” outlines SECURE Act 2.0’s optional provision regarding student loan repayments, analyzes an increasing trend of private real estate investments within defined contribution plans, summarizes new guidance from CFA Institute defining responsible investment terminology, and reviews 2024 contribution limits from the IRS.

Marquette Speaking at Majority Action Webinar 6/28

On Friday, June 28, Ibrahim Rashid will be joining a webinar hosted by Majority Action entitled, “2024 Proxy Season Debrief: Analysis, Key Takeaways, and the Path Forward for Active Owners and Active Clients.”

The webinar will review the 2024 voting results on racial equity and climate, celebrate successes from key leaders, and discuss actions asset managers, investors, and fiduciaries can take to hold major asset managers and proxy advisors accountable, pushing for stronger policies and voting outcomes on these issues next year.

For more information on the event, please visit the registration page.

We’re Not So Different, High Yield Bonds and Leveraged Loans

Late last year we authored an article detailing the growing differences between the high yield and leveraged loan markets, particularly the overall quality in the high yield market versus that of leveraged loans. Today, some of those most pronounced differences appear to be abating, which should translate to a more convergent outlook for the two markets as it relates to security, structure, recovery, covenants, and ultimately, performance. With the Fed poised to begin cutting rates in 2024, we felt it was important to address these emerging trends before the start of the new year.