This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, highlights the knowledge needed to approach the commodities asset class, and examines macroeconomic and long-term drivers of prices within the sector...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that risk factors underpinning classic hedge fund trading strategies - hedge fund risk premia - are investable and can enhance portfolio construction and risk management...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 Conference, argues short-duration bonds are attractive during rising interest rate periods, offering potential for inflation protection and a yield advantage over cash and other low duration assets...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, examines how to boost returns on portfolios using liquid strategies available to Australian investors, and concludes with a take on asset allocation that is radically different from that practiced currently...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that the Australian bond market continues to provide a reliable real return with relatively low volatility, and asks 'are we deep in the woods or is there a way out?'

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that investors must consider the merits of a “pure” direct exposure to emerging markets in their global opportunity set...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, examines various equity portfolio risk strategies, such as stock-specific risk management and hedging techniques, and whether diversification is still an effective risk management tool...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that as emerging markets wages increase significantly, core CPI in many developed world economies will rise, forcing central banks to revisit interest rate settings - and therefore, positioning portfolios for the prospect of rising inflation is critical...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that China's path to growth is unsustainable, and highlights which economies, sectors and industries in the Asia Pacific region will benefit most from China's transformation and which will be most at risk...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper, presented at the 2011 PortfolioConstruction Forum Conference, argues that short-termism is a pandemic that continues to flourish unchecked within financial markets, resulting in significant long-term economic costs to investors...

This month has brought some of the most turbulent times in the history of investment markets. What does it mean for those managing investor portfolios?

We asked the fund houses: What are the top 5 quant analytics practitioners should always consider and why?

There are three key reasons why it is prudent to reduce commodities allocations and redistribute some of that allocation into equities - and in particular, western equities...

In the past few weeks, it's become clear that Italy must now be included in the group of submerging economies - and that portfolios should become more cautious and defensive...

We asked: What, in your firm's view, is one of the big challenges facing the Australian funds research industry at present?

A concise update on the challenges for global fixed income markets over the next six months, including the US and European debt situation, and rising inflation in emerging markets...

Australian residential property does not behave like other investment classes. Why? And what does that mean for forecasting returns?

We asked the research houses: What are the key risks your firm assesses when rating funds / products / capabilities - and why?

The Academy Winter Seminar 2011 debates the following three topics in a Socratic learning environment: How to build a framework for assessment of niche exposures in a portfolio; How to incorporate value strategies in equity portfolios; and, How to analyse investment scenarios and their implications for portfolios...

Post 1 July, New Zealand's financial advisers will be held to far greater account for the portfolios they build for clients - and this comes at a time when global investment markets are more volatile than at any other time in the past 20 years, and likely to remain so for years. Investment Symposium 2011 will help you better understand the pillars for building better quality investor portfolios...