Most of us use funds in clients' portfolios. Three new research papers look at what differentiates fund managers, highlighting factors we probably never considered important.

The I3 Revisiting Portfolios 2019 (05 Apr 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Continuing Education (CE/CPD) hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE/CPD accreditation.

What's new with our continuing education, accreditation and certification programs.

The Lendlease APPF Commercial Investor Forum 2019 (3 April 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Continuing Education (CE/CPD) hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE accreditation.

The Conexus Investment Operations Conference 2019 (26 February 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.

What's new with our ontinuing education, accreditation and certification programs.

The ASF Securitisation Professionals Forum 2019 (27&28 Mar 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Continuing Education (CE/CPD) hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE accreditation.

The TCorp "Are we there yet?" Briefing 2019 (27 Mar 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Continuing Education (CE/CPD) hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE/CPD accreditation.

Compared to physical risks, investors have a much greater ability to incorporate carbon and related pollution regulations into investment decisions.

Finology Summit 2019 (20 & 21 February 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.

The US Federal Reserve surprised markets recently with a large and unexpected policy change. The new normal will be a US policy rate close to or just below 3%.

Markets Summit 2019 (19 February 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.

Our regular Forum Fodder email alerts Members to what's new with our blended live and online continuing education, accreditation and certification programs.

The Pinnacle Investment Series (March 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.

My key takeout was that perhaps markets entered an inflection point through 2018 and, accordingly (if they haven't already), investors need to think about how they position portfolios.

The idea that imputation refunds are an unfair, expensive rort is gaining acceptance in the community. The Labor proposal is not fair, nor much of a revenue earner. It's not even nuts. It is just wrong.

Our regular Forum Fodder email alerts Members to what's new with our blended live and online continuing education, accreditation and certification programs.

The Intrepid Minds Asset Allocation Australia Summit 2019 (07 March 2019) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Continuing Education (CE/CPD) hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE accreditation.

Climate change is affecting countries, companies, assets and communities in a variety of ways. Good stewardship of client assets requires investors to consider these issues.

There may be enough positive factors to make this a relatively decent - albeit mediocre - year for the global economy. But a global growth-stall and sharp market downturn could come in 2020.