Australia has reduced the use of plastic bags by 80% in three months after major retailers banned their use. Plastic waste is a más growing environmental concern, but this case shows what can be accomplished if society works together to combat environmental challenges.
Volatility has picked up this year and not surprisingly, investors are becoming more defensive. Credit sensitive ETFs have seen outflows while higher quality fixed income segments have seen inflows. For the credit sensitive ETFs, are the liquidity concerns that ETF critics have been highlighting now coming to fruition? más
After spiking through early October rates have dropped but that supportive move was overwhelmed by credit spread widening. Amid heightened risk aversion, spreads have surged over the past two months to the highest levels in more than two years. Relentless ETF outflows and a recent drop in rate expectations are adding to pressure for USD 25 par and USD 1,000 par preferreds, respectively. más
While gold prices have bounced off the year's low set in August, UBS Chief Investment Office (CIO) wouldn't chase the current rally "from a momentum" angle, it says. It does still see gold as insurance in a portfolio, and actually targets the commodity to move to USD 1,300 per oz in 12 months. más
UK Prime Minister Theresa May survived on Wednesday a vote of no confidence in her leadership. Two-hundred Conservative MPs voted in favor of May staying as their leader, 117 voted against. más
Market sentiment was boosted by China's move to cut US car import tariffs. But what are the implications? más
Government and corporate debt are at record highs relative to GDP, which is attracting the attention of central bankers around the world. más
Royal Dutch Shell's multi-year tug-of-war with shareholders is nearing its conclusion. Last week, CEO Ben van Beurden conceded to shareholder demands and, in conjunction with Climate Action 100+, a group of 300 investors with over USD 32 trillion in assets under management, announced new carbon emissions targets that will directly link to executive pay, a first among the company's peer group. más
Whether UK Prime Minister Theresa May can secure parliamentary consent for the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement remains highly uncertain. She is facing a no-confidence vote triggered by members of her own party, along with EU unwillingness to modify the terms of the deal she previously negotiated. más
Long-term bond yields in the US may fall below short-term interest rates. That is an inversion of the yield curve. Some people think this is a recession signal. más
Hype is the biggest risk in any emerging technology, and one of our concerns around blockchain has been vendors' grandiose plans to "reinvent" global industries with incredibly long value chains. Simply put, we've "seen this movie before" and it typically ends the same way – remember how we were supposed to be flying in 3D-printed planes by now? más
We continue to have a constructive view of the master limited partnerships (MLP) and energy infrastructure sector, and believe the need for new pipeline, processing and storage infrastructure in the US supports the outlook looking into 2019. más
French President Emmanuel Macron appeared to buckle in the face of widespread rioting on the streets of France on 10 December, promising broad tax relief for struggling workers and pensioners. más
Equity investors should brace for volatility, but stay invested. Look for value to outperform growth in the US and emerging markets, and consider neglected sectors like US financials and global energy. más
The value of a currency is set by a balance of supply and demand. Unlike real currencies, crypto-currencies' supply cannot change as demand changes. This makes their value unstable. más
For the first time in more than a decade, part of the US yield curve inverted. But, we see a number of reasons why equity investors have better things to worry about than the yield curve. más
What is your vision for life after you walk away from your business? What you do next is critical for you and your family. It’s a time when you need to shift your focus to personal fulfillment, wealth planning and more. más
Investors may be considering holding more of their portfolio in cash, in light of increasing market volatility and rising interest rates. However, cash comes with high opportunity costs. Cash alternatives such as CDs could fulfill some of the benefits of cash while minimizing the opportunity costs. más
With global stocks falling 3.9% and the S&P 500 4.3%, equities had their worst week since March. As markets opened in the US on Friday, stocks staged a modest rally. This stemmed in part from the US employment report, which showed payroll gains slowing to 155,000 jobs and average hourly earnings rising a modest 0.2% in November. más