This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring the legendary Bill Gross of PIMCO - argued that despite early signs that some asset classes are beginning to show signs of recovery, any suggestion that asset markets are returning to "normal" must be met with the question "What’s normal?"...

This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring London-based Chris Watling of Longview Economics - argued that a key feature of the new, post Global Financial Crisis world is that the structural strength of the global economy now resides in the emerging market economies...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 explains that the lesson of 2008 was that "income isn't income" – not all fixed income strategies proved to be defensive, liquid and diversified. This research paper revisits where some fixed income investors went wrong, and shows how to construct genuinely defensive portfolios that focus on delivering the hallmarks of quality fixed income strategies...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 argues that the disintermediation for capital raising for SME’s has opened up significant investment opportunities for direct lenders. In short, SME’s needs are the same as medium- to large-sized enterprises but access to capital is not the same, thus producing an environment where investors can cherry pick their deal prospects...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 argues that, in harsh terms, there has been a Darwinian like clean out of bad ideas and poor execution for REITs and investors alike, and examines how the REIT industry disappointed investors, and the long term merits of the sector...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 shows that over a 20-year period, residential property has produced above average total returns compared to other asset classes, and with lower volatility than Australian shares. This research paper argues the benefits available for investors of including residential property in a diversified portfolio...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 explores the changes in Asia over the last 10 years and factors likely to affect prospects for the Asian region over the coming years, and gives insights needed to re-evaluate the investment opportunities in this region...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 argue that active extension remains the most efficient structure to deliver alpha in the Australian equity market and that the most significant impediment to capturing returns from any investment process remains the long only constraint...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 seek to discuss the challenge deleveraging presents to the level of economic growth in most developed countries over the next 15 years, and how to position portfolios in light of it...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 argue that if current predictions hold, a more balanced and even multi-polar world could emerge in which certain developing nations, such as China and India, influence the nature of investment returns far more than they ever had in the past...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 argue that the prospect for hedge fund returns has never been better. However, resolving the structural flaws of hedge funds will be one important step forward in the chase for higher, more stable returns...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 examine forms of capital protection and assess the risks and benefits of each, and why this will be key to building portfolios using a core plus satellite approach...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 show how, now that Australian investors are able to gain exposures to a wide range of broad indices using ETFs, they could use ETFs either strategically or tactically to build more efficient international equity portfolios...

This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring Hong-Kong-based Dr Marc Faber - argued that post Global Financial Crisis recession-busting policy measures may aggravate and prolong the problem, and that the recession will deepen...

This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring London-based the Hon. Dr Pippa Malmgren - argued that the post Global Financial Crisis reality requires that we approach asset allocation with a clean sheet of paper...

This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring Dr Peter Rathjens of Arrowstreet Capital - reviewed the conceptual underpinnings of active asset management and the implementations and pitfalls in the post Global Financial Crisis environment...

This Critical Issues Forum from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 - featuring Jonathan Pain of HFA Asset Management, Hamish Douglass of Magellan Financial Group and Chris Watling of Longview Economics - debated the likely shape of the global economic recovery, and the implications for markets and portfolios...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 examines the changing parameters in the new social order as a consequence of the global financial crisis, and the implications for global markets and, by extension, Australian equities...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 explore the range of opportunities across the capital structure that have a legitimate role to play in a well constructed portfolio. It discusses portfolio construction considerations, and explores the implementation of these ideas using as an example, traditional and unconstrained balanced funds...

This Due Diligence Forum Research Paper and Presentation from PortfolioConstruction Conference 2009 explain that the effect of governments stepping back into the bond market to fund their ballooning deficits will be to produce a marked change in the risk profile of bond funds in regards to potential default risk and where they are likely to source future alpha...