The Columbia Management Perspectives blog offers our insights on current market events and investment opportunities.
We believe equity income securities are a key investment strategy for investors right now. Here are few key points to remember from this short video: Yields on stocks are at historical highs compared to investment alternatives We anticipate solid dividend growth based on healthy corporate balance sheets Current demographics favor dividends, and The opportunity is not limited Read More
Co-authored with Paul Mumma, CFA, Vice President of Product Management Most investors understand the relationship between risk (volatility) and return, and build portfolios using a mix of stocks and bonds that generally have a given long-term expected level of risk and return. Appropriate alternative investment strategies have to fit into a similar context, meaning that Read More
Co-authored with Paul Mumma, CFA, Vice President of Product Management Alternative investments remain a mystery to many investors. Countless articles have extolled either the supreme virtues or extreme risks of alternative investments, and investors have a dauntingly broad array of alternative asset classes and alternative investment strategies to choose from. Here, we attempt to simplify Read More
By James Carlen, CFA, Sector Manager Once again, emerging markets (EM) are in the spotlight, marked by a massive shift of capital into the so-called “BRIC” countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Unlike the 1990s, when EM was more hype than reality, this time the focus on EM is based on strong performance, not Read More
With a sluggish global economy hamstrung by the colossal indebtedness of the developed world, it is crucial to be aware of any changes in the forces that fuel or handicap growth. One issue I am particularly concerned about is the direction of global economic freedoms. Many studies strongly suggest a high correlation between changes in Read More
By Michael P. Taylor, Senior Tax-Exempt Fixed Income Research Analyst The municipal marketplace is a disaggregated market with tens of thousands of borrowers, making generalizations difficult. At the local government level – including bond issuers such as counties, cities and school districts – there are specific factors that investors should take into consideration. First, realize Read More
By Chad Farrington, CFA, Director of Municipal Credit and Senior Portfolio Manager After years of relative obscurity, the municipal bond market was thrust into the spotlight as we entered 2011. Although credit rating downgrades increased, defaults in relatively safe sectors of the municipal market remained very rare. As we enter 2012 and assess the status Read More
The views expressed are as of the date given, may change as market or other conditions change, and may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (CMIA) associates or affiliates, Actual investments or investment decisions made by CMIA and its affiliates, whether for its own account or on behalf of clients, will not necessarily reflect the views expressed. This information is not intended to provide investment advice and does not account for individual investor circumstances. Investment decisions should always be made based on an investor's specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Asset classes described may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance does not guarantee future results and no forecast should be considered a guarantee either. Since economic and market conditions change frequently, there can be no assurance that the trends described here will continue or that any forecasts are accurate. Please see our social media guidelines.
