2012 in Review
Given the macro risks that existed a year ago, specifically related to Europe's ongoing sovereign debt crisis and China's decelerating growth profile, asset class performance has been extremely resilient.
-Investment Strategy Group, Neuberger Berman

Imagine...a Better Future
I first read about Peter Diamandis in a Wired magazine article. I was intrigued because it focused on the light amid the darkness of the financial crisis and its attendant doom and gloom. I'm fond of saying I'm always more intrigued by the story no one is telling—and this was one of those stories.
-Liz Ann Sonders, senior vice president and chief investment strategist, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Rolling Tail Hedges: The Dynamic Tradeoff between Cost and Potency
Many tail risk clients have expressed a desire to move toward more frequent rebalancing of hedges. One popular frequency is quarterly.
-Vineer Bhansali, managing director and portfolio manager, PIMCO

The Consumer Catalyst in Asia's Emerging Markets
As the middle class expands in the emerging world, Andrew Sleeman, Mutual Series research analyst and portfolio manager of the Mutual International Fund, is seeing select investment opportunities arising from the growing thirst for consumer goods and services. He believes emerging markets in Asia hold particular investment potential.
-Andrew Sleeman, research analyst and portfolio manager, Franklin Templeton Investments

Energy Face-Off: North American Energy Independence vs. Canada's Export Plans
The delay in Keystone XL and the barrage of protests and negative press served as a major wake-up call in Canada. It was viewed as a slap in the face to the Canadian government and TransCanada Corporation; Prime Minister Stephen Harper has since publicly commented that Canada should be looking to expand export capability to growing markets in Asia-Pacific, or Canada will run the risk of stunting the development of its oil industry in Western Canada.
-John M. Devir, executive vice president and convertible portfolio manager, PIMCO

After the Cliff Comes Obamacare
Apart from the crying need for fundamental fiscal reform, a new urgency will develop around the implementation of Obamacare, more formally known as the Affordable Care Act.
-Milton Ezrati, senior economist and market strategist, Lord Abbett & Co.

A Face-Off Between Passive and Active Investing
As active investment managers who have experienced bull and bear markets, the financial industry’s deregulation and re-regulation, and the shifting needs of baby boomers, we are pleased that actively managed mutual funds continue to be the choice for a significant portion of portfolios.
-Frank Holmes,CEO and chief investment officer, U.S. Global Investors

Saving for Retirement Stage 2: The Sandwich Generation
Predicting what your life will look like several years down the road is an exercise in squishy figures, so it’s no wonder many people in the mid-stage of retirement planning may not have a realistic view about how much money they’ll need to fuel the retirement lifestyle they have in mind.
-Franklin Templeton Investments