The sharp fall in oil prices during the second half of 2014 turned out to be one of the most significant themes of the year. In this piece, Salman Ahmed, Strategist Fixed Income at Lombard Odier IM discusses the economic transmission mechanism and asset market implications of the sharp reduction in oil prices.

Unlike cap-weighted indexes, smart beta strategies are not buy-and-hold: they require trading and rebalancing to maintain their respective exposures. This can have a surprising impact on long-term performance, and may also provide a cause for concern in the shorter term...

This paper provides an introduction to the STOXX Minimum Variance Indices and aims to achieve three things : i) an overview of minimum variance investing ii) the methodology for the construction and maintenance of the STOXX Minimum Variance Indices, highlighting the unique approach for the index series iii) how investors can make use of the minimum variance concept...

Global investors are keeping faith with equities while raising cash as markets enter the volatile year-end period, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey for December.

According to Natixis Global Asset Management, while institutional investors are optimistic about equities in 2015, their outlook is tempered by market risks beyond their control and unknown liability risks ahead, particularly those linked to increased longevity...