1 min readWe hope you are all safe during this extended period of sheltering at home. Life has changed immeasurably for most of us since February 13, when we published a report on COVID-19 and its impact on liquidity portfolios. Our comments in that report still apply, and on March 31, we provided additional valuable market intelligence…
3 min readWatch the Webinar: Click the above video for a replay of our March 31, 2020 webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on cash portfolios. Hosted by Benjamin Campbell, CEO, and Lance Pan, CFA, Director of Investment Research & Strategy. The cash management landscape has changed greatly in the short time since we published our February…
2 min readIf you are among the 20 percent of institutional cash managers who don’t have a formal investment policy statement, it may be time to draft one. And if you do have one, December is a good time to dust it off and update it for the coming year. According to the 2019 AFP Liquidity Survey,…
10 min readCo-authored by: Spyros Qendro, CFA®, and Carter Bourassa DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract In an environment characterized by limited forward visibility, it’s more crucial than ever for cash investors to understand the landscape and the risks and opportunities it creates. In this paper, we will evaluate what makes a successful cash management strategy while underscoring the…
13 min readCo-authored by: Matthew Paniati, CFA® DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract BBB-rated debt continues to offer new possibilities for cash investors. Though it involves taking on incremental credit risk, allowing the purchase of these securities may help alleviate supply shortages while also offering additional return opportunities. Should investors investigate adding BBB names to their portfolios, we recommend…
14 min readDOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract The popularity of responsible investing has extended to the fixed income and liquidity management fields in recent years. Incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in cash investment decisions makes sense as part of overall credit risk management. In addition to challenges related to disclosure, criteria, measure and verification, liquidity portfolios…
17 min readDOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract The 2014 money market fund reform brought forth drastic change to the corporate cash management landscape, significantly impacting investors, issuers and fund sponsors. While there is little doubt that money market funds are more resilient following the implementation of the reform’s higher credit, liquidity, transparency, and oversight standards, it also had…
13 min readDOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract The March Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) decision was a major market event that directly resulted in an inverted yield curve. The Fed’s interest rate and growth outlook change echoed other recent moves by central banks that may indicate the end of a tightening monetary cycle. The inverted curve may be…
20 min readDOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Abstract As the post-recession credit cycle matures and a period of historically low interest rates ends, investors are paying increased attention to the rise of corporate leverage. Companies have borrowed heavily in the past decade to fund M&A activity and investor payouts. This has resulted in significant growth in BBB-rated debt for…
14 min readAbstract We have identified the Fed and a flattening yield curve, trade wars and a global slowdown, and Brexit and other uncertainties as the three main themes to watch in 2019. Compared to 2018, we think 2019 will be a bit more challenging for short-term liquidity investors. A flatter yield curve may attract more non-traditional…