2026 Outlook: Diversifier Views

Investors should lean into hedge funds in 2026 by Sean Duffin Hedge funds remain a vital part of diversified portfolios, and building resilience requires a thoughtful mix of strategies. In today’s environment—marked by elevated dispersion, low correlations, and ongoing policy uncertainty—equity long/short (ELS) managers are especially well positioned. Advances in AI and persistent tariff-related disruptions […]

December 2025

Unlocking Innovation with Blockchain and Crypto Venture Capital Funds

Blockchain and crypto-focused venture capital (BCVC) funds offer a compelling opportunity alongside traditional venture capital (VC) strategies. While some investors question the merits of blockchain technology and may overlook these funds, this could mean missing out on exposure to managers and innovations with the potential to transform industries and deliver outperformance. However, investors should expect […]

November 2025

Do the Recent Bankruptcies of First Brands and Tricolor Suggest Trouble Ahead in Private Credit?

No, the recent bankruptcies of First Brands Group and Tricolor do not signal systemic problems in private credit. Both cases are idiosyncratic, driven by fraud and unique business practices rather than broad market weakness. Importantly, the impact was felt across both private and traditional credit markets, not just private credit. Fundamentals in private credit remain […]

November 2025

VantagePoint: Electrifying Returns in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just transforming business models and economic growth—it is contributing to a step change in global electricity demand, with far-reaching effects on energy markets, utility infrastructure, and investment portfolios. This shift is creating both acute challenges and compelling opportunities. Grid reliability, infrastructure bottlenecks, and decarbonization pressures are intensifying, while the scale […]

November 2025

A US-China Trade Deal Would Show Desire for Gradual Strategic De-risking, Not Abrupt Decoupling

Global markets rallied on October 26 following news that the United States and China have reached a “preliminary consensus” on several key issues. This development sets the stage for Presidents Trump and Xi to meet on October 30 in Korea, on the sidelines of the APEC leaders’ summit. Although a formal agreement has not yet […]

October 2025

Long Bond Performance Does Not Signify an Impending Debt Crisis

Long-dated government bonds have come under pressure in recent months, at least on a relative basis. Sections of the financial media have interpreted this as evidence of an impending fiscal crisis and a resurgence of so-called bond market vigilantes seeking to impose fiscal discipline on governments. In this research note, we aim to separate signal […]

October 2025

Building Resilient Portfolios: Liquid Diversifiers for Today’s Institutional Challenges

What does it take to build a resilient portfolio in a world where market shocks, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions are the new normal? For many institutions—such as Defined Benefit plans, Insurance organizations, Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts, and others—the challenge is twofold: achieving viable diversification and ensuring sufficient liquidity to rebalance portfolios and meet disbursement requirements. […]

October 2025

Weathering the Latest US Government Shutdown

The US federal government shut down overnight after the Senate failed to reach an agreement on funding government operations before the September 30 deadline. During a shutdown, “non-essential” federal agencies and programs that rely on annual discretionary appropriations must cease operations until funding is restored. Historically, shutdowns have been short-lived—averaging eight days—and have had negligible […]

October 2025