Investors are increasingly questioning the continued relevance of bonds in their portfolios. But bonds offer enhanced diversification qualities during times of low growth, low inflation and market uncertainty.

he Willis Towers Watson Ideas Exchange 2018 (01 May 2018) 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 acceditation.

The Investment Management Research Workshop (12 April 2018) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.

That's the view that Guy Debelle, Deputy Governor of the RBA, outlined in a recent speech. It's a timely warning - but what do we do with it? I think it depends on your investment time horizon, as do so many investment decisions.

This week in Forum Fodder: Tim Farrelly - Markets not pricing rates to revert; Bob Gay - Policy blunders; David Knox - Misunderstanding life expectancies; Brett Gillespie - Ignore the noise; Alex Duffy - Risk mismatch the big mistake.

Nearly all recent initiatives of the Trump administration will prove to be macroeconomic blunders. The time has come to upgrade the credit quality of investment portfolios and to focus on the currencies of creditor countries.

As we consider the life expectancy of many clients, we should not be using any number in the 80s. A figure closer to 95 is both more realistic and provides a little buffer in case the individual lives longer than the average.

This week in Forum Fodder: El-Erian - global trade wars; Rebecca Sherlock – ESG and infrastructure; Bianca Ogden - disruptive tech in healthcare; Aaron Minney - retirement spending; Prof Ron Bird - performance, fees, active managers

Recent research examines the performance of active bond managers, and the impact of performance fees on returns of active equity funds and private equity funds.

The annual Investment Management Research Workshop showcases early stage research in the area of investments to a practitioner and academic audience. It is an initiative of the Investment Management Research Program which is presented by Portfolio Construction Forum, in collaboration with faculty of the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Business School. The IMR Program succeeds the UTS Paul Woolley Centre.

This week in Forum Fodder: Robert Shiller - GPD-linked bonds; Chris Watling - new economic paradigm; Joanne Earl - effects of downsizing; David Knox – does 10/30/60 still apply; Ed Rosenfeld - upbeat outlook for small caps

Around the world, smaller companies are benefitting from robust economic growth, low base rates and balance sheet flexibility. Investors should focus on opportunities in Japan and Europe.

The CIMA Society Seminar 2 2018 (21 March 2018) 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 Conexus Financial Post Retirement Conference 2018 (21 March) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE accreditation.

The S&P Masterclass 2018 (20 Mar 2018) 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 Financial Post Retirement Conference 2018 (20 March) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE accreditation.

This week in Fodder: Prof Terry Odean on behavioural biases and investment risk; Prof Ken Rogoff on AI and productivity growth; Michael Furey on diversification; Nick Griffin on why now is the time to invest in growth stocks; and, Brett Gillespie on sharper interest rate rises ahead.

The concept of diversification may seem to be second nature. However, some of its fundamentals are often misused and sometimes misrepresented.

The Mercer Global Investment Forum Melbourne 2018 (13 Mar 2018) 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 farrelly's User Group 2018 (13 March, 14 March and 20 March 2018) has been assessed and accredited by Portfolio Construction Forum for Forum CE hours. Delegates must confirm their attendance in order to receive CE acceditation.