Tag: Corporate

Bank Loans Position Paper

Bank loans represent a key strategic asset class for most institutional investors’ fixed income portfolios. Some of the critical benefits of bank loans include yield that is typically greater than that of core bonds, a floating rate and therefore very little interest rate risk, and a senior secured level in the debt capital structure of issuers such that default risk is minimized and recovery rates are maximized. This position paper covers the history of the asset class as well as some unique characteristics that make it a vital part of many institutional investors’ portfolios. We will also examine its historical returns and correlations with other asset classes, as well as its risks ranging from credit to liquidity risk and interest risk to reinvestment risk. We will conclude with an assessment of its recent valuations as well as how to access this asset class.

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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.

 

Sell in May and Go Away?

Global equity markets declined in May on a flurry of geopolitical news. As tensions persist, stocks are grasping to sustain their former rocket-like pace.

This newsletter details the recent trade and tariff announcements, their impact on the markets, and a look at what to expect in the remaining months of 2019.

Read > Sell in May and Go Away?

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.

Securing Retirement Through the SECURE Act

On May 23rd, with overwhelming bipartisan support, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE Act) passed in the House with a 417–3 vote. The bill is the first major retirement legislation since 2006 and has 29 total changes or new provisions.

The bill will impact most workers from part-time employees to small business owners to more tenured employees. In this newsletter we have outlined some of the major changes outlined in the SECURE Act.

Download PDF > Securing Retirement Through the SECURE Act

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.

Basics of Target Retirement Date Funds

Please join members of our Defined Contribution Services Group as they review the basics of target retirement date funds. This webinar is designed to educate clients on what target date funds are, how they can differ from peers, and how they can be evaluated. For additional target date fund coverage, reference our recent white paper, Target Date Funds: Preparing Participants for Retirement.

Live Webinar – Wednesday, May 22, 2019 – 1:00-1:30 PM CT

Featuring: Julianna Paterra, CFA, CAIA, Research Analyst; Eric Gaylord, CFA, Vice President

Who should attend: Institutional investment stewards, investment managers

Please contact us for access to this video.

Target Date Funds: Preparing Participants for Retirement

A pitfall for a majority of plan participants surrounding retirement planning is a lack of familiarity with investing. Participants with little to no investment experience are expected to make allocation decisions that will greatly impact their retirement. Target date funds serve as a one-stop shop for a diversified and risk-appropriate portfolio which automatically de-risks as the participant ages. These funds are managed to a specific target retirement date; when an investor chooses his or her retirement year, the portfolio is put on “autopilot” as the fund is managed and rebalanced with risk and return characteristics appropriate for that defined investment horizon. While these funds fulfill a need for simplicity in the marketplace, there are many nuances with which plan sponsors should be educated in order to make a decision that is best for their participant pools.

This paper serves as an educational tool for plan sponsors to aid in the selection and continuing evaluation of target date funds. Topics including purpose, construction, goals, and benchmarking will be discussed.

Download PDF >

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.

2018 Investment Symposium Briefing

Our 2018 Investment Symposium speakers summarize their presentations — from CEO Brian Wrubel’s opening remarks to the keynotes and flash talks.

The symposium covered the current market environment, emerging investment themes and investment stewardship challenges in the year ahead. The event featured six flash talks designed by our research team to brief clients on relevant topics and encourage timely conversations with investment consultants.

All keynote and flash talk videos are now available on demand:

 

An October to Forget?

Stock markets around the globe “corrected” in October, experiencing a sudden and broad-based drop. The sell-off was somewhat unusual as there was no glaring fundamental event that triggered the market drop, but rather a confluence of events that all seemed to come to the forefront of investors’ minds simultaneously. These concerns, coming on the heels of a strong third quarter for stocks that left the market looking modestly overvalued, led to an unpleasant month of returns.

Download PDF >

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.

Defined Contribution Plan Stewardship: History & Opportunities

Defined contribution (DC) plans have grown to become the most commonly used employer-sponsored retirement savings vehicle in the U.S. — and fiduciary duty guidance is rapidly evolving as well. Please join us for a discussion on defined contribution plan stewardship with Greg Leonberger, director of research, and Kweku Obed, senior investment consultant. Key topics from our popular DC white paper, Defined Contribution Plans: A Look at the Past, Present & Future, will be covered.

Attendees will be briefed on:

  • The growth of defined contribution plans
  • Best practices evolution & the PPA as catalyst
  • Behavioral finance & the fiduciary duty of investment choice simplification
  • The robust governance & monitoring imperative

A question and answer session will follow.

Live Webinar – Tuesday, March 31, 2015 – 1:00-1:45 PM CT

Presenters: Greg Leonberger, FSA, EA, MAAA, Director of Research, Managing Partner; Kweku Obed, CFA, CAIA, Senior Vice President 

Who should attend: DC plan sponsors (current & future), investment managers

 

Please contact us for access to this presentation.