Conning Releases Q4 2016 State of the States Report
10/26/2016
Conning's State of the States U.S. municipal bond report shows that while state revenues have been on a steady climb since the 2008 recession, they are now showing signs of strain.
Clapping With One Hand: Can Central Banks Overcome the Bad Policies of their Countries’ Political Leadership?
10/01/2016
Since 2008, we at Conning have been saying that the weak economy is not a monetary problem, so it does not have a monetary solution. When a nation’s leadership promulgates poor regulatory, fiscal, and trade policies, it leaves the job of offsetting the effects on their citizens to the central banks. This lack of policy coordination is like a one- handed clap. Now, perhaps more than ever, a deep understanding of central bank policies is required to make global forecasts and informed investment decisions. Let’s examine a few of these effects and how we believe they are holding back growth.
NAIC Notes - Summer 2016
09/01/2016
The Summer National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) meeting was held in San Diego from August 26th through the 29th.
Conning Releases Q1 2016 State of the States Report
05/03/2016
Conning’s latest State of the States Municipal Credit Research report shows that while state revenues have been on a steady climb since the 2008 recession, they are now showing signs of strain.
NAIC Notes - Spring 2016
04/01/2016
The Spring National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) meeting was held in New Orleans from April 2nd – 5th.
Risk Factors – A Better Way to Build a Portfolio?
04/01/2016
Most investors, including insurance companies, construct their portfolios using the traditional asset classes of cash, fixed income, equities and tangible assets, broken down into subclasses such as corporate bonds and U.S. large cap stocks.
The American Shale Gas Revolution: Fundamental Winners and Losers
04/01/2016
The U.S. Shale gas revolution in the U.S. is well underway, spawned over a decade ago by rising natural gas prices and advancements in drilling technology. Through the extensive use of horizontal drilling and the environmentally debated hydraulic fracturing (called fracking), which uses sand, water and chemicals essentially to create fissures in rock formations underground (down to 10,000 ft.), releasing and enhancing the flow of gas, the estimate of unproved reserves of shale gas in the U.S. have skyrocketed.
Conning Releases Q4 2015 State of the States Update
12/08/2015
In its Q4 update on U.S. state credit quality, global investment manager Conning finds that in the aggregate, state credit quality remains strong.
The Limitation Game - Understanding Model Risk
10/15/2015
Mathematical models are essential tools for the effective management of financial and insurance risks, yet every model has some limitations. It is important to understand these limitations if models are to be used effectively. Indeed, what is considered a limitation is likely to differ from one application to the next.
Liquidity ‒ Too Much of a Good Thing?
09/01/2015
It is said that the world is awash in liquidity, as quantitative easing has gone global over the past six years. Quantitative easing has greatly influenced the capital markets and dampened the level of government interest rates and risk premiums across all asset classes.