Showing entries with the topic “Investments”.
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Jun 2019Chart of the Month: The Yield Curve is Flashing a Warning Signal
Every recession in the last 50 years has been preceded by an inverted yield curve. So, while economic indicators remain strong, the latest inversion of the yield curve may be sending a warning that an economic slowdown could be coming.
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Jun 2019China A-Shares: The Implications for U.S. Investors
Emerging markets have become an important part of retirement portfolios for many U.S. investors. Recently, global index providers such as MSCI and FTSE announced that they will gradually increase the inclusion of stocks from companies incorporated and traded on mainland China in their global and int…
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Jun 2019Fiduciary Breach Lawsuit Issues Explored Topic #1: Active Versus Passive Investments
With more than 100 lawsuits filed against fiduciaries of defined contribution retirement plans, litigation has plagued the retirement plan industry over the past decade. In our Fiduciary Breach Lawsuit Series, we provide an in-depth exploration of each of the claims.
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May 2019Case Study: A University’s Holistic Approach to Maximizing Retirement Plan Benefits
Learn how the University of Pittsburgh created a best-in-class retirement plan program as part of a large-scale focus to provide better services, communications, and outcomes to nearly-25,000 retirement plan participants.
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May 2019Chart of the Month: Fixed Income Provides a Buffer Against Equity Market Sell-Offs
Market Observations: While risk assets have done well over the last decade, particularly against fixed income investments in this low interest rate environment, it has been tempting to forget that bonds are a critical component of a diversified portfolio. The sharp equity correction late last yea…
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May 2019Interest Rates: Lower for Longer
Following a seven year period of no interest rate hikes coming out of the 2008 recession, the Fed has been slowly and steadily raising rates since 2015. We explore why interest rates may remain low, or potentially go lower, in the near future.
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Apr 2019Chart of the Month: U.S. Equities Continue to Outpace Foreign Developed Markets
U.S. equities have substantially outpaced foreign developed markets; good news for retirement plan participants, who traditionally have a heavier allocation to U.S. stocks in their portfolio. However, it may be worthwhile for investors to consider increasing their international exposure.
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Apr 2019Classification Confusion: Understanding Equity Style
Retirement plans aim to offer a concise, yet diversified, set of investment options. Understanding equity style is vital to building a defined contribution investment menu that allows participants to create portfolios that reflect their investment preferences.
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Mar 2019403(b) Retirement Plan Fee Litigation: An Update
More than 20 private universities and five healthcare systems have been sued over retirement plan fees since 2016, making fee litigation an important topic for retirement plan sponsors. We review the common claims of the suits and provide an update on the status of each.
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Mar 2019Chart of the Month: Year-to-Date Recovery from Q4 2018 Sell-Off
Source: Morningstar Market Observations Risk assets have staged a remarkable rebound in 2019, with many asset classes erasing three quarters or more of the losses they experienced in the 4th quarter of 2018. While many of the factors contributing to the panic driven sell-off late last year remain …
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