Expert outlook: Analysis from 2012 IMCA and CFA conferences

What should advisors do in unstable markets?

Vikram Barhat, Advisor Group’s content editor, covered the 2012 CFA and Investment Management Consultants Association conferences in Chicago and Washington, DC, respectively, to find out.

There, he heard from noted financial experts, including:

Richard Thaler, professor of behavioral science and economics at the University of Chicago
Michael Jones, founder, and chief investment officer, of RiverFront Investment Group
David Garff, president of Accuvest Global Advisors
Sam Stovall, chief equity strategist at Standard & Poor’s
Ashvin Chhabra, chief investment officer at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University

We bring you their insights and predictions for global and North American markets.

Biases can’t be cured, must be endured

Investors don’t know their risk tolerance. Nor is it possible for financial experts to accurately judge it because people aren’t consistent. So what do you do?

There is strength in vulnerability

In a market where information, skills and service no longer guarantees distinction, being honest to a fault provides a great competitive advantage. In fact, it’s the greatest edge any service provider can have.

Debt crisis reshapes retirement strategies

A 30-year bull market in bonds has created unshakable complacency among baby boomers nearing retirement. But anyone ignoring alarming government debt levels in the developed world, and the policy of protracted low interest rates, does so at his own peril.

Equity investment: Do countries matter?

The majority of investors, from individuals to the biggest foundations, exhibit a significant home country bias—regardless of where they are located in the world.

Equities: Time to buy or bail?

Although markets were up during the first quarter of 2012, unabated volatility continues to leave investors undecided whether it’s time to buy or sell. Sam Stovall, chief equity strategist at Standard & Poor’s, looked at historical trends to put things in perspective.