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Sustainable Investing
Influencing for good: 20 years of engagement
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The way investors conduct engagement has transformed. From a niche approach largely confined to mission-orientated investors, engagement is now a mainstream investor activity. The success of the Climate Action 100+ initiative in bringing together investors, representing close to US$40 trillion in assets, shows how far we have come.
Sustainable Investing
ESG Viewpoint – COVID-19 and the pharmaceutical industry
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Public trust in the pharmaceutical industry has eroded. The pandemic provides drug-makers a chance to begin re-building their reputation – but only if they prioritise socially responsible practices.
Sustainable Investing
Green bonds: Financing the transition to a new economy
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Green bonds are a type of fixed income instrument where the proceeds raised are used to finance clearly defined projects that have environmental benefits. Projects financed include renewable energy, water conservation, energy efficiency, green buildings, clean transport and sustainable land use.
Sustainable Investing
Performance with principles: How can ESG investing support financial returns?
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When ethical funds were in their infancy, a common assumption was that funds that incorporate ESG characteristics, and in particular those with a strict ethical screen applied, must necessarily involve a trade-off with performance.But over time, the debate about performance has turned on its head. Increasingly, investors recognize the potential financial materiality of issues such as corporate governance, labor management and environmental performance — and history is littered with examples of companies that have neglected these issues and paid the financial price.
Policy and Regulatory Commentary
COVID-19 isn’t going away
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Colossal policy responses in the second quarter reassured investors that the U.S. economy can weather the COVID-19 downturn, with a relatively quick return to risk assets pushing the S&P 500® up 20.5% for the period, its best quarter since 1998. After bottoming in March, U.S. stocks rose as much as 44% before the rally stalled a bit over the last few weeks of the quarter. We saw a few signs of hesitation for more policy among lawmakers as indicators improved, but overall both Congress and the Federal Reserve (Fed) remain prepared to do more.
Policy and Regulatory Commentary
The U.S.-China relationship in a changing global economy
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An inevitable blame game between the U.S. and China has followed COVID-19, but the crisis has really just extended the “trust deficit” that has been steadily building between the two countries in recent years. Though the “Phase One” agreement between the countries remains intact, it is very fragile and China is turning to a more domestic focus. The U.S.-China relationship, however, remains pivotal for the global economy, and in our mini-forum devoted to the topic, we began with a discussion of the relationship from China’s perspective.
Policy and Regulatory Commentary
U.S. presidential election outlook
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As the 2020 election season heats up and President Trump’s odds of winning continue to run cold, we believe it is important to understand the investment implications of a potential change in government versus the status quo. We have outlined the policy implications of the three most likely election outcomes: a Democratic sweep, a Biden presidency with a Republican Senate and a Trump presidency with a Republican Senate. This analysis assumes that Democrats hold the House, which we believe is highly likely.
Retirement
Retirement income planning in the “new normal”
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Retirement policy, interest rates and market volatility have made retirement planning more challenging for clients and advisors alike. What are the philosophies, opportunities and challenges you need to be aware of to help your clients navigate decumulation in today’s environment?
In this episode, we’re joined by Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at Carson Coaching and co-creator of the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation. Jamie discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with creating retirement income in this new environment, including how to help shift the mindset of individuals to adapt to these changes.The IRS recently announced that it will allow plan sponsors to pay out pensions as a lump sum to plan participants. In this video BMO Global Asset Management discusses what considerations should be made by plan sponsors and plan participants before choosing lump sum as an option.
Retirement
Lump Sum Payouts from Pension Plans
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The IRS recently announced that it will allow plan sponsors to pay out pensions as a lump sum to plan participants. In this video BMO Global Asset Management discusses what considerations should be made by plan sponsors and plan participants before choosing lump sum as an option.
Policy and Regulatory Commentary
Is this the new normal?
Pyrford International provide a snapshot of the UK economy as it inches closer to Brexit.
Advisor Value & Fees
The power of designations
CFP, CPA, CLU, ChFC, RICP. You likely know what these designations are, but do your clients? And how important are these designations when prospective clients choose a financial advisor? Mike McGlothlin from the Society of Financial Service Professionals joins the podcast to discuss how designations act as a reinvestment in yourself and can provide outward credibility for your practice.
Advisor Value & Fees
What am I paying you for: The evolving pricing models of advice
Change is on the horizon when it comes to fee structures, and this has many advisors and advisory firms at a crossroads. Today’s episode is all about how advisors should think about the topics of charging fees to clients – commissions, retainers, and all other sorts of models.