If a Hesitant Fed Won’t Cut, Other Central Banks Will, Says Ned Davis
Chair Jerome Powell declares that the Federal Reserve is in no hurry to reduce rates due to sticky inflation.
Risk
Private Capital Fundraising Tilts Toward the Big Guys
Slowdown in number of firms pulling in fresh money means more for the top 10 funds, Preqin says.
Pummeled Blackstone Real Estate Unit Seems Poised for a Revival
As redemptions dwindle, BREIT makes acquisitions and banks on falling rates.
Texas Fund’s BlackRock Pullout Marks Latest Anti-ESG Broadside
A Republican-led backlash, including laws to undermine sustainability efforts in 17 states, may be having some results.
Fed Aims to Start Slowing Its Bond Reduction Drive ‘Fairly Soon’
Shrinking the central bank’s balance sheet has been ongoing for two years.
Water-Related Risks and Challenges
From the WRI Aqueduct 4.0 review of updated decision-relevant global water risk indicators.
Roadblock Looms for Renewable Energy Shift, BCA Warns
A lack of capital spending in mining such ‘transition metals’ as copper, nickel and lithium is linked to chaotic prices, the research firm says.
SEC’s Climate Risk Disclosure Rule Faces 3 Lawsuits Within 1 Week of Finalization
The two initial complaints were filed by 19 Republican-leaning states and, separately, the Sierra Club.
AT&T Sued Over 2023 Pension Annuitization With Athene
Beneficiaries' suit claims telecom company 'turned its back on its retired workers' in risk transfer deal.
Proposed Massachusetts Endowment Tax to Hit Harvard, MIT, 11 Other Schools
The 2.5% excise tax would target private institutions in the state with endowments of at least $1 billion.
That ’70s Show: Can Stagflation Return?
Several finance savants, including Jamie Dimon, admonish that high inflation and a punk economy could stage a comeback.
Verizon Announces $5.9B Pension Transfer
Insurers Prudential and RGA Reinsurance will assume obligations for 56,000 pensioners who are already receiving benefits.
Solid 4Q Earnings Tee Up Expectations for Even Better Days Ahead
Projections are for corporate profits to really burgeon in 2024, despite some downbeat economic outlooks.
Leveraged Loan Returns Rise Even as Credit Quality Worsens
The solid economy and expected rate drops are powering the risky asset class higher, Ned Davis reports.
Water Utility Equities Could Be Strong Performers Amid Volatile Market
Because the need for clean water is both universal and not close to being solved, publicly traded water utilities can be excellent low-risk investments.