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Industry vs country factors in global equity markets

The relative strengths of industry versus country factors can be of major importance for global equity portfolio managers. If country effects dominate, then primary consideration can be given to the country allocation decision. On the other hand, if global economic integration is reducing the distinctions between countries, then an industry-first investment process may be more

Allocating assets in climates of extreme risk

This research by MSCI provides “material extensions” of the standard stress testing methodology of portfolios. It provides a quantitative method to modify asset allocation weights in a stress scenario, and a new paradigm for translating extreme events into asset class scenarios.

Socially Responsible Investing and Expecting Stock Returns

At the Q Group Spring seminar, this paper by Sudheer Chava, College of Management, Georgia Institute of Technology finds that investors demand significantly higher expected returns on stocks excluded by enviornmental screens widely used by socially responsible investors, compared to firms without environmental concerns.

Accounting and sponsor risks in corporate pension plans

This study by EDHEC surveys how pension funds and sponsors manage the risks they face and how institutional constraints – accounting and prudential regulations, the organisation of the relationship between the pension fund and its sponsor, and social laws – influence investment strategy.

Volatility cycles of value stocks

This MSCI research examines the volatility cycle of value stocks, shedding light on the changes in relative contributions of value and non-value portfolios to total risk.