Financial Market Update - June 16, 2016

U.S. earnings growth, despite confusing headlines, is growing at a steady, if not monotonous, 4%-5%. Meanwhile, the earnings picture outside the U.S. is getting more interesting. Matt Peron explains.

After many years of underperforming its US counterparts, non-US equities are outperforming. Going global in 2017 has certainly paid off for equity investors, but is this trend sustainable? Bob Browne explains.

Investors have experienced a short bout of volatility over the past week across risk asset as well as sovereign bond markets. Might this be a sign of things to come? Katie Nixon explains.

After years of stagnant growth, the political and economic haze is lifting over Europe as fundamentals look stronger and populism fades,

The market's mixed signals have left many investors scratching their heads, yet we continue to see the upside. Our optimism is based on four key observations. Katie Nixon explains.

The Federal Reserve once again did the expected, and they got it exactly right: a prudent and totally predicted interest rate hike and well-telegraphed intentions about the Fed balance sheet. Bob Browne explains.

Our most recent insights into equity factors around current market events and trends.Find out how timely market events have been affecting equity valuations and returns from the industry experts.

The stellar performance of just a few big technology stocks has raised investor concerns about whether we are seeing a repeat of the Tech Bubble of the late 1990s. Will the rally die? Jim McDonald explains.

With investor focus on emerging markets and worries regarding China, Wayne Bowers revisits the "One Belt, One Road" trade initiative. Will this lead to a new era of globalization and the reshaping of global trade?

Please join us for a true inside look at corporate pension trends beyond just the top line funded status, and the effects those trends are having on the companies bottom lines.

Key Topics:
• A recap of current plan deficits – how will it be solved?
• The impact costs and contributions are having on profits
• Why some industries are hurting more than other

Our return expectations on major asset classes have declined over the last several years. A tilt toward equity factors may be the answer. Matt Peron explains.

Investor concerns over the outlook for growth and politics have been calmed in recent weeks, as economic data has improved and key elections have taken place. Jim McDonald explains.

While sponsors of 401(k) and 403(b) plans have been working hard to streamline their investment menus, undeniable demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment options is something worth pausing to consider. With one in every five dollars now invested in an ESG-oriented strategy in the U.S., now is an ideal time to explore what type of ESG strategy would best suit your participants needs. In this quick 30 minute webinar, we will explore how several defined contribution (DC) plans are adopting ESG investment strategies in their menus and what that means for participants.

Don't get caught off guard. While the French and Dutch elections didn't take the pure populist routes, investors still must take into account the continued influence of populism in Europe. Wayne Bowers explains.

An inside look at the techniques large asset owners are using today to better understand their factor exposures and implement more efficient portfolios.

Continued strife in the Middle East, Russian hacking and threats from North Korea have clients increasingly asking about geopolitical risk. Bob Browne explores the issue.

Investors are questioning whether the reflation trade works anymore given the recent action in the stock, bond, commodity and currency markets. Katie Nixon explores the issue in this week's MarketScape.

As our outlook for growth outside the U.S. continues to improve, the world is looking more attractive. Jim McDonald explains in this week's MarketScape.