“The challenges facing financial advisors are tougher than ever, as they are asked to do more with less in an environment that seems to put low fees ahead of all other considerations,” said John Hailer of Natixis Global.
Natixis survey: A quarter of US advisors plan on selling their books, merging with a larger firm or leaving the industry
Wells Fargo/Gallup Survey: Investors cheer low rates at their own peril
While clients love the benefits of low interest rates when it comes to mortgages and loans, too many fail to grasp the impact of low yields on retirement savings, said George Rusnak, co-head of global fixed-income strategy for Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
Fidelity: Investors bailing out of choppy markets may miss out on opportunities
“There is no question that the market had a volatile start to 2016, so it’s no surprise that volatility was a top concern for advisors in the first quarter,” said Scott E. Couto, president, Fidelity Institutional Asset Management.
State Street sees institutions warming to factor-based models in low return environment
“Institutions are struggling with different investment policies that don’t meet their needs,” said Lori Heinel, chief portfolio strategist at State Street Global Advisors. Increasing adoption to approaches including objective- and factor-based models such as smart beta strategies may offer better risk weighted returns, SSGA says.
Report: Wealthy Latin Americans could use a lot more help on the advice side
Advisors could do much more to help wealthy Latin Americans understand more about cross-border funds and foreign exchange risk, according to a Morgan Stanley study. The report sees an opportunity for entrepreneurial advisors willing to service this market.
Natixis: Institutional investors bullish on global stocks and alternatives in 2016
Fifty percent of those surveyed said they will increase private-equity holdings, 46% said they will increase private debt allocations, and 41% responded that they plan to increase allocations to hedge funds.
BofA Merrill: Investors regained risk appetite in October
With growth and inflation expectations notably higher after new US payroll data, investors have cut cash holdings and increased exposure to equities, real estate and alternative investments. Confidence in the global economy also rebounded, up 22 percentage points from October.
BofA Merrill manager survey finds deterioration in global outlook
"Contrarians will be noting the aggressive underweight positioning in emerging markets,” said Michael Hartnett, chief investment strategist at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research.