Portfolio

Special Report

Private Markets are entering a new phase as TPA and Evergreen funds expand. Shifts in access, implementation, and market leadership will have important implications for institutions, Wealth Management, and future Private Equity returns.

The NFL and NBA grab the headlines, but growth beats size. This report reveals the story behind Major League Soccer (MLS) growth. Valuations have jumped, yet plenty of upside remains—making the MLS relatively attractive compared to other US major leagues.

The US overconsumes and underproduces. China overproduces and underconsumes. There are early signs that this decades-old imbalance has peaked and is beginning to reverse. Upgrade the CNY to overweight.

MacroQuant sees downside risks to stocks over a long-term horizon but is not yet saying that we are at imminent risk of an equity bear market.

Special Report

We revamp several of our methodologies in this edition of our return assumptions. We estimate that a US 60/40 portfolio will return 6.1% over the next 10 years. This is slightly below the return assumptions for US pension funds. Investors can obtain better returns by diversifying internationally and to alternative assets.

In 7 charts and under 1,000 words, we reveal the real story behind AI Venture Capital. Valuations are not at extremes and IPOs do not signal a replay of the 2000 Tech Bubble—yet.

Special Report

Asset prices reflect expectations—but US Office Real Estate expectations are too pessimistic. We present the case for why strong fundamentals will drive performance, despite macro risks.

Over the first half of 2025, AI capex outpaced both consumption and all other investments in its contribution to US growth. Like all other capex cycles this one will end in tears. However, the indicators we track suggest that AI capex can continue supporting growth and markets for now. Remain Neutral on equities. Upgrade Health Care to Overweight and downgrade Consumer Staples to Neutral. Buy tail risk protection.

MacroQuant is recommending that equity investors keep their finger near the eject button but avoid pressing it for now. The model is warming up to the dollar again and sees scope for oil prices to rise.

Special Report

Using stock-level data for MSCI ACWI country indices going back to 1984 for Developed markets and 1988 for Emerging markets, we find that market concentration adds little predictive power for long term forward returns. Whatever predictive power it has disappears once we include traditional metrics like value and size. The same is true for idiosyncratic index risk. Index concentration is just not very important for determining risk and return in equity markets.