Emerging Markets: Perspectives on Russia and Poland
05/01/2014
Since the closing of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, news from that region of the world has been dominated by the geopolitical unrest in Ukraine and Russia’s involvement in it. In light of the uncertainty that remains on how the crisis will play out on the world stage, this paper discusses the potential impact on Russia, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
The Importance of Risk Attribution
04/01/2014
This paper begins with a background on risk attribution. Risk attribution is a rigorous approach to determining the overall impact of various sources of risk across all functions of an organization. Recent events have brought a heightened attention to risk and brought risk management to the forefront of insurer concerns.
Comparing Performance Metrics when Optimizing Investment Strategies
11/01/2013
In this time of a difficult investment environment, as well as a heightened awareness of risk, insurers are looking to develop asset allocation strategies that will help them achieve their objectives.
Insurers and Hedge Fund Investing
07/01/2013
The prospect of continued low interest rates and their adverse impact on investment income has forced insurers to look beyond traditional asset classes in their investment portfolios to other sources of total return to remain competitive.
Full House: Hold, Fold or All In?
07/01/2013
The Great Recession left in its wake job losses, plummeting house prices and wealth destruction. Many homeowners decided to fold ‘em and, heeding the advice of The Gambler, run from their homes and underwater mortgages.
Master Limited Partnerships – Providing Energy & Income to Insurance Company Portfolios
05/01/2013
MLPs were established by Congress in their current form to promote U.S. energy independence and much needed investment in energy infrastructure with the passing of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the Revenue Act of 1987. These acts developed the outline of the pass-through partnership and defined the requirements for eligibility, which stipulates that a business is required to generate at least 90% of its income from “qualified” sources such as crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, coal, timber and other minerals.
Corporate Credit in 2013 – Where to Now?
04/01/2013
Global Corporate Credit generated healthy absolute returns over 2009-12, with meaningful excess performance in 3 of 4 years. Currently, yields are hovering near record lows and spreads are tight. Looking forward, Conning believes corporate credit will outperform other conventional fixed income investment options, although we expect less robust returns than have recently been experienced. In this Viewpoint, Conning will identify risks and opportunities at the current stage of the corporate credit cycle, and highlight signposts that will aid investors in making decisions regarding portfolio positioning ahead of future market changes.
The U.S. Banking Sector – Poised to Perform Four Years After a Near-Death Experience?
10/01/2012
In 2008-2010, the financial landscape was littered with failures and near-failures, regulatory-assisted mergers, illiquidity, rumors of the ”next” to fall, finger-pointing, and in retrospect, the Near-Death Experience of the United States banking industry.