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PortfolioConstruction Forum

 

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 Friday 21 November 2014

The independent professional development service for investment portfolio construction practitioners

G'day

It's only 10 years ago that I was bailed up by a disgruntled delegate at PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference 2004, because "the program had far too much focus on China, which has no relevance to his clients". It was just one session, with Jonathan Pain predicting the economic rise of China. Ten years on, and it's accepted as self evident that portfolios should be exposed to China's growth. That got easier on Monday, with the Shanghai stock market (A shares) finally opening to individual foreign investors (you need a HK-based broker). Together, HK and Shanghai are the third largest stock market in the world by market cap (ahead of London, Euronext and Tokyo). No doubt, some readers will be dismissing this as "irrelevant" too - but this week's Fodder features two articles on why it's not. Firstly, Dom McCormick explains why China A shares may well be a good investment and how to get investor's past their negative perceptions. Then, GaveKal explains why those who believe in the rise of the Chinese consumer may well want to take a hard look at "buying Shanghai".  On a different note, Angela Ashton reviews the recent Cooper/Pfau retirement income planning white paper. It's a one-stop review of the 10 major approaches. Carrying on the discussion of recent weeks, Robeco defends the low vol approach against the charge that it's becoming overcrowded. Finally, we highlight David Lazenby's top-10 rated Conference 2014 presentation on being better "choice architects" and "decision reassurers" ourselves and for our clients. You'll also see that we're featuring some Member 

comments on what they've been reading in Fodder. We're called this a "Forum" for a reason... and I encourage you to also jump in and add your own perspectives on the Perspectives featured in Fodder!
All the best for some more great weekend learning - Graham
P.S. Mark your diary: Markets Summit 17 Feb 2015. Registration opens soon!

LATEST...

China A shares emerging from the bear?
Despite strong returns, it's still hard for investors to think positively about China A shares. The key is to envisage what the world will look like in 10 to 15 years.
Dominic McCormick, Select Asset Management
Opinion

Now that you can, should you buy Shanghai?
The world's biggest inaccessible stock market is finally open to foreigners. Those with strong convictions about the rise of the Chinese consumer may want to take a hard look.
Thomas Gatley, GaveKal
Opinion

The Yin and Yang of retirement income philosophies
This white paper serves up a retirement income planning "buffet" - reviewing the two main opposing philosophies and the range of strategies that span the divide.
Angela Ashton, PortfolioConstruction Forum
Research

Are low-volatility stocks overcrowded?
Ten years ago, hardly anyone talked about low-volatility investing. Now there's growing concern it is becoming an overcrowded trade. There are four arguments against this.
David Blitz & Pim van Vliet, Robeco
White Paper

Conference 2014 Top 10
The power of R³
It is given that we all are wired to act foolishly sometimes, so how can we be better "choice architects" and "decision reassurers" for ourselves and our clients?
Dr David Lazenby, ScenarioNow Inc
Resources

Member comments
Efficient and safe retirement drawdowns
So I guess simply using the annual (or other periodic) draw downs to also rebalance should work, and efficiently?  Comment
Low beta anomaly - mispricing or risk?

I agree with the author of this article totally. Volatility is just an indication of unknown risk or uncertainty... Comment
Slick LICs

Do you remember when Platinum Capital (PMC) traded at a 20-25% premium to NAV? Back then, people made similar arguments as to why it was structural... Comment

RECENTLY...

Celebrity central bankers
There are good reasons why central bankers receive so much media. But the bubble around their pronouncements grossly exaggerates their economic significance.
Kenneth Rogoff, Harvard University
Opinion

Why are bond yields so low?
The answer seems obvious. But more complicated forces are at work that have reduced real interest rates far below historic norms and may keep them low for many years yet.
Dr Robert Gay, Fenwick Advisers
Opinion

IS is irrelevant - Libya is relevant
The media continues to obsess about IS - but the far more investment-relevant development in the Middle East is the return of Libyan crude into a well-supplied market.
Marko Papic, BCA Research
Opinion

Managing sequencing risk - buckets v rebalancing
In managing sequencing risk, we may not be giving simple rebalancing nearly the credit it deserves to accomplish similar or better results than more complex approaches.
Michael Kitces, Pinnacle Advisory Group
| 1 comment 
Research paper

Risk parity portfolios and the low beta premium
In recent years, the risk parity approach to asset allocation has been gaining popularity. Evidence supports the approach but confidence in it also needs a theoretical justification.
Cliff Asness, AQR Capital
Resources

PLUS...

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