All Asset allocation articles – Page 17
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White papersLDI H2 Outlook
In the current market phase, one common feature within LDI players has been to adopt a cautious approach towards the long end of the curve. In fact, the magnitude of the global yield curve steepening trend seen across major developed markets, driven by monetary policy, growth, and fiscal sustainability, coupled with supply/demand, has proved to be a fundamental disincentive to buy long dated assets, and this trend is expected to continue.
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White papersGlobal Corporate Bonds: A good time to bolster defensive allocations
This year, financial markets have often seemed like a rollercoaster. Prices have whipsawed as investors have attempted to price heightened geopolitical risk and President Donald Trump’s America first approach to global trade.
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White papersThe strategic value of allocating to high yield
Financial markets have navigated an exceptionally turbulent period over the past five years. Severe shocks have included the global pandemic in 2020, aggressive rate hikes by central banks in 2022 and the imposition of tariffs in 2025. Despite these significant disruptions, the high-yield (HY) market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, emerging as the best-performing fixed income sector by a substantial margin.
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White papersAsset Allocation Committee Outlook: 3Q 2025
That was a tumultuous quarter. Since April, the global economy and markets have faced the U.S. administration’s erratic tariff policy, broader trade tensions, fiscal concerns and flare-ups in geopolitical risk, all resulting in widespread volatility and economic uncertainty. And while many of these catalysts may ultimately have material economic and financial impacts, both macro data and risk markets have shown notable resilience, and “looked through” this uncertainty, a theme that we introduced in our last quarterly outlook.
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White papersKeeping it “Real”—The Case for Natural Resource Equities
Natural resource equities can provide inflation protection and portfolio diversification, making them a potentially compelling investment option in environments characterized by elevated inflation, heightened geopolitical risk, and increasing energy demand.
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White papersShaken, but not stirred
The U.S. economy remains resilient but is gradually losing momentum, while policy uncertainty continues to cloud the global outlook. Selective opportunities are emerging in fixed income, private markets, and high-quality equities supported by solid fundamentals.
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White papersWhy should investors consider sustainability in CDI?
Whilst institutional investors may have a sustainability approach for their core fixed income portfolio, reflecting it within a cashflow driven investment strategy (CDI) is still a growing concept. CDI strategies are designed to provide a regular income stream from bond coupons and maturities to help address a pension fund’s income requirements. Given their long-term nature and broad fixed income allocation, they are well placed to reflect outcomes beyond that of income requirements.
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White papersOpportunity Amidst Uncertainty
Beyond the short-term market impacts of trade tensions and geopolitical risk events, we are constructive in our medium-term outlook for the global economy and risk assets.
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White papersCautious Optimism Amid Policy Uncertainty
Despite ongoing policy uncertainty and tariff-related volatility, we are cautiously optimistic thanks to resilient economic fundamentals, broadening equity market performance, and the potential for pro-growth policy shifts later in the second half of 2025.
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White papersRelative Value & Tactical Allocation Q3
MetLife Investment Management expect a more moderate decline in economic activity as the shock from “Liberation Day” tariffs fades and, as policy evolves toward an end state, consumers and businesses begin to behave more normally after initially pulling back sharply in response to the volatility.
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White papersUnmasking the potential: navigating opportunities, myths and strategies in EM Private Credit
Private Credit has grown c.10-fold since 2008, but funding shortages remain particularly pronounced in Emerging Markets (EM), which hold c.90% of the global population and c.50% of GDP but less than 10% of Private Credit AuM.
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White papersUS enters Israel-Iran conflict
Over the weekend, the United States launched airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites, escalating tensions in the Middle East. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, we expect Iran to retaliate, though likely in a manner aimed at avoiding deeper US involvement.
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White papersHow to adapt and respond to choppy waters
The global outlook is overshadowed by uncertainty, which can make asset allocation tricky. However, a multi-asset approach to credit investment can provide a vital degree of stability amid the turmoil.
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White papersRide the policy noise and shifts
A rewiring of the global economy is forcing investors and policymakers to proceed with caution. Such prudence is justified. There may be superficial parallels with the trade shock delivered by the pandemic, but limited lessons can be drawn from the temporary disruptions that occurred at the start of the decade. Today, the US administration’s approach to commerce, security and international relations is ushering in structural changes that will outlast its tenure.
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White papersPrivate diversification still attractive
“Private markets: infrastructure and private debt will likely continue to attract flows and may deliver performance. A bottoming process should gain traction for real estate and private equity over H2.”
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PodcastThe End of US Exceptionalism?
Rick Brink: Hello, everyone, and welcome to this very first installment in our new AB series, Beyond Consensus: Thoughts from the Dismal Roundtable. My name is Rick Brink, Market Strategist within AB’s Client Group.
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White papersA 20,000-Foot Perspective: Fiscal Policy Takes the Lead
Recent volatility in traditionally “sleepy” Japanese bonds bears watching as fiscal policy becomes the chief policy lever globally; the country’s role as one of the world’s major creditors means that what happens there could have far-reaching impact.
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White papersMacro Monthly: The ‘Sell America’ trade and its limitations
Market narratives change fast. Entering 2025, most investors were all-in on US exceptionalism. President Trump’s tax cuts and de-regulatory agenda were expected to boost the US growth and earnings outlook, while tariffs would be disproportionately negative for the rest of the world. Investors came into the year overweight US stocks and the US dollar.
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White papersNavigating the Future: Key Investment Shifts in Life Insurance in 2024
In 2024, the life insurance industry continued to evolve, driven by strategic shifts in asset allocations and investment strategies. As insurers navigate a complex economic landscape, they are increasingly focusing on enhancing yield potential while managing risk.
