If we're explaining a "norm" to clients that embeds a social proof, we should be using norms that show what is successful, not describing the commonality of failure!

Our Forum Fodder e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. In Fodder this week - Our backgrounder on UMP & Woody Brock's presentation from the PortfolioConstruction Forum Markets Summit 2014

Our Forum Fodder NZ e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. In Fodder NZ this week -Our backgrounder on UMP and Woody Brock's presentation from Markets Summit 2014

In a new format for Markets Summit 2014, delegates took the role of CIO for the day, as the 18 strong presenter faculty made the case for their highest conviction insights.

Our Markets Summit faculty debated two critical issues arising from Unconventional Monetary Policy; for the coming two to three years, to substantially overweight DM vs EM Equities in portfolios and substantially overweight Short vs Long Duration Bonds.

A rise in US Treasury yields is likely to have a profound impact on benchmarks. Bonds should remain a critical component of portfolios, but a more active approach is necessary.

Think about bonds as an insurance policy for portfolios. With higher yields available, very cheap insurance is even better able to pay for hurdles facing portfolios.

After a half decade of weakness, robust growth in the US and UK is setting the stage for unconventional monetary policies to be unwound.

Our Forum Fodder e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. This week - Nouriel Roubini, Nick Bullman , BlackRock. Plus we kick off a new series on smart beta.

Our Forum Fodder NZ e-newsletter alerts Members to what's new on PortfolioConstruction.com.au and live progams. In Fodder NZ this week -all of the pre-reading for our PortfolioConstruction Forum Markets Summit program next week

The boom demographic joining Facebook is age 65+ at the moment. If retirees are flocking to social media channels, shouldn't you?

Why Unconventional Monetary Policy is undertaken, how it works, what it does, whether it's inflationary, and some of the unintended consequences.

Looking ahead, returns on emerging market debt are likely to better reflect the diversity of the asset class. More than ever, it pays to know your market.

The US is undeniably the critical market within the global economy - and there are real sign-posts that clearly suggest it is ready to surprise the world on the upside.

2013 was a transitional year, as the market woke up to the reality that extraordinarily accommodative monetary policy would not go on forever. What of 2014?

Many New Zealand financial advice firms need to fundamentally rejig their way of doing business, to improve client retention, drive down costs and improve the bottom line.

The start of the end of the Federal Reserve's money printing is expected to reshape the global investment landscape.

The Academy Summer Seminar 2013 featured four sessions: The paradox of wealth (& what can be done); Don't concentrate too hard; Developing your investment philosophy; and, Financial literacy and cognitive functioning.

As we entered 2014, the consensus on the best and worst areas to invest could be described very simply: momentum investing ruled, contrarian investing was dead.

The bullish mood suddenly changed in early January. Here is a structure for thinking about recent market events that may be helpful in assessing new evidence as it comes along.