Our top 10 favorite articles of 2024

Changes in market leadership. Changes in U.S. political leadership. A transition to monetary easing. Transformation through AI (artificial intelligence).

From start to finish, 2024 was a year of change, with a multitude of implications for investors. At Russell Investments, we tackled the year’s seismic shifts head-on, working with the best and brightest minds in the firm to provide actionable insights on the key issues impacting our clients.

With more than 130 articles published this year, deciding which ones performed the best was no easy feat. Ultimately, we settled on listing the 10 articles that received the highest levels of engagement from our readers.

So, let’s cut to the chase. Listed below—and in no particular order—are our top 10 favorite articles from 2024.

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The value of AI in asset management

Managing Director and Head of Research, Evgenia Gvozdeva, examines the ways investment managers can leverage AI to help streamline operational efficiencies and broaden access to investment insights.

Listed vs. unlisted infrastructure: A misunderstood rivalry?

In today's financial climate, marked by interest rate and geopolitical uncertainties, infrastructure investment offers financial and strategic opportunities. However, traditionally infrastructure portfolios have been divided into listed and unlisted segments, with investors choosing between one or the other. In practice, integrating both into portfolios strengthens investment approaches in the current economic landscape.

Value of an Advisor Study 2024: 4 key ways investors benefit

We believe financial advisors are never more important than during periods of uncertainty—such as now. Brad Jung, managing director and head of North America advisor and intermediary solutions, shares how our annual Value of an Advisor study quantifies the value of the various services an advisor provides.

An investor's guide to potential U.S. policy changes in 2025

Paul Eitelman, senior director and chief investment strategist for North America, assesses how potential policy changes under the incoming U.S. administration may impact economic growth, inflation, corporate earnings, and interest rates.

The language of clients: it's different from yours

Adopting investor language – talking about their goals, needs, and circumstances – can help advisors better understand their clients, and their clients better understand how and why they are invested.

 

Are brighter days in store for bond investors?

We believe that bond investors who fled for the safety and high rates of cash-like investments over the past couple years may find better balance from bond returns going forward.

How small cap managers are adjusting their portfolios in the wake of the U.S. elections

At Russell Investments, our unique relationship with underlying managers gives us special access to the latest views from the small cap universe. In the wake of the election, we’ve tapped into these insights to see how small cap managers are adjusting their portfolios as the new U.S. administration prepares to take over in January. The response across core, value, and growth styles highlights some common themes, but each reflects a unique approach to navigating the new political landscape. 

Don't get "loonie" over a weak Canadian dollar

Canadians may feel a bit "loonie" about how low the Canadian dollar (CAD) can go if the Bank of Canada cuts rates earlier and by more than the U.S. Federal Reserve. However, the Canadian economy is not in the same shape as the U.S. one, so some divergence in monetary policy is likely. While the CAD will be challenged over the short term, don't count it out over a longer horizon.

IPA – Not just a way to quench your thirst, it’s a simple process to boost referrals

You may have heard of IPA – it’s a popular beer choice in the summer. But here’s another IPA -- Improve, Praise, Ask – a three-step process for earning referrals from your existing clients.

The hidden costs of investing: The tax iceberg

Hidden taxes on investments have the potential to sink a portfolio. It’s important to be aware of the how our investments are taxed and how these taxes can be managed.