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.

This week in Fodder: Roubini rubbishes blockchain; Catherine Wood on the profound value of blockchain; Ron Temple on US growth and current valuations; Tim Farrelly on the bondcano narrative; and Michael Kitces on why the finologist of the future is a cyborg.

The peddlers of the Bond-cano narrative give very different recommendations. Even if we buy the story, it's just not clear what to do - all of which suggests that it is just a wonderful narrative.

In my opinion, the asset-price volatility we have been seeing has little or nothing to do with changes in fundamentals. And the widespread use of machine-driven trading is likely making all of this worse.

In Fodder this week - El_Erian on the next economic paradigm; Velasco on “rational irrational exuberance”; Bird on impact of passive investing on markets; Brodie on trust & what matters to investors; and Farrelly – we can all do better communicating with investors.

In nine pages, this paper says all that needs to be said on the ability of any of us to estimate the true value of financial assets. The next two papers produce conflicting findings on the impact of index investing on markets.

The Conexus Real Estate and Private Markets Conference (27-28 February 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.

Was the recent market volatility predictable? Was the volatility exogenous or endogenous in nature? What lies ahead as regards inflation and interest rates?

The CIMA Society Seminar 1 2018 (21/22 February 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 Investment Operations Conference (20 February 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.