Our top 10 favourite blog posts of 2020
The worst public health crisis in 100 years. The steepest economic decline since the Great Depression. The battle to root out systemic racism.
The events of 2020 have rocked the world in unprecedented fashion, upending daily life across the globe - and the financial industry has been no exception to the turmoil. On the Russell Investments Blog, we’ve responded by kicking our content efforts into overdrive. Throughout the year, we’ve worked with some of the best and brightest minds in the firm to deliver frequent, timely and insightful analysis to clients and readers alike.
With a myriad of blog posts to choose from, identifying the most popular ones was no easy feat. Based on reader engagement and feedback, here are our top ten favourite blog posts from 2020 - the key thought-leadership pieces that resonated the most with our readers in a year unlike any other.
Why is the stock market rising in the middle of a severe recession?
Amid the steepest recession since the 1930s, equity markets continue to march steadily upward. Chief Investment Strategist Erik Ristuben identifies three factors that may explain the disconnect between Wall Street and Main Street.
2020 ESG manager survey: Turning up the volume
Have ESG factors increased or decreased in importance? Our annual ESG survey of active managers assesses the integration of ESG considerations in investment processes among equity, fixed income and private market managers.
Checking in on the ‘cult of equities’
For decades investors and journalists have written extreme warnings about the long-term return potential for equity markets. Thomas McDonald, Portfolio Manager, explores that very question - are equities worth taking the risk?
Japanese equities then and now: 25 key indicators and contributors to the current investment landscape
We speak to Makiko Hakozaki, Director, Senior Portfolio Manager, to find out more about the Russell Investments Japan Equity Fund and the changes she has seen in the Japanese economy over the past two decades.
Private markets: Fortune favours the agile
Key characteristics of private markets and how pension schemes can incorporate them into their investment strategy.
Much ado about inflation
The Chancellor confirmed that The Retail Prices Index (RPI) will be reformed and aligned with the housing cost-based version of the Consumer Prices Index, known as CPIH, by 2030. We dive into the details and explain what this means for investors.
Environment, social and governance risks are financial risks
In this post, Director of Research and Development Leola Ross and Research Analyst Ningning Wang illustrate three proof points of the value-add associated with ESG awareness and integration. They also analyse the importance of considering ESG risks both in the security selection process and the asset manager selection process.
How has COVID-19 affected trading capabilities?
We explore how market structures faired is this period of exceptional stress and the impact on liquidity and trading costs.
The perils of passive investing amid a highly concentrated S&P 500
Five companies now comprise 26% of the market capitalisation of the S&P 500® Index, making for the most concentrated U.S. equity market in the last 40 years. Paul Eitelman, Director, Senior Investment Strategist and Paul Wharton, Director, Head of Relationship Management, UK institutional, discuss the potential dangers of this for investors.
We condemn racism: A message from Michelle Seitz, Chairman and CEO
Our diversity is what gives us strength, and it is our humanity that unites us, Chairman and CEO Michelle Seitz writes.
Any opinion expressed is that of Russell Investments, is not a statement of fact, is subject to change and does not constitute investment advice.