Press

MPI has a new report out on Barrons looking at low-vol smart beta funds. The firm’s conclusion? Low-vol does deliver on its claim to keep volatility down, but outperformance is trickier.

Given the low yield environment, fixed income investing is less able to play its traditional role. But rather than taking on more risk to hunt for yield, should bonds be used in a more defensive manner to diversify portfolios? MPI addresses this topic on Professional Wealth Management.

MarketWatch reports that MPI said asset allocation remained the most important factor in endowment performance, as returns at Ivy League endowments dropped off over the past year.

The short answer, following a year in which the Yale CIO and the endowment he leads avoided carnage in commodities and emerging markets, is no. Here’s why.

There’s book smart and there’s money smart, and sometimes those two things don’t coincide. That could be the takeaway from the latest data from risk analytics firm MPI (Markov Processes International, which reviewed how Ivy League endowments are performing this year. The answer is not great for many of America’s top schools. See more about these insights on Barron’s.

Mutual fund industry publication Fund Action covers the launch of MPI Target-Date Radar, “aimed at meeting the demands of defined contribution consultants for a more robust and quantitative evaluator not associated with a particular asset manager.” Click here to read the press release.

ThinkAdvisor, the digital outlet for wealth management trade publication Investment Advisor Magazine, includes the launch of MPI’s Target-Date Radar in its weekly review of new products for advisors. Click here to read the press release.

In its daily email to advisors, WealthManagement.com covers the release of MPI Target-Date Radar. The article quotes MPI client Chas Mansfield, CIO of Compass Financial Partners, who discusses the need to use independent and objective tools in light of the DOL Conflict of Interest (Fiduciary) Rule. Click here to read the press release.

Planadviser, a publication for retirement fiduciaries and consultants, writes up the launch of MPI Target-Date Radar. Reporter Javier Simon notes the tool aims to use robust analytics to “uncover exposures that manage longevity, volatility and inflationary risks” and quotes MPI client Chas Mansfield, CIO of Compass Financial Partners, who discusses the importance of using independent, objective tools for the evaluation of TDFs. Click here to read the press release.

The 401kWire’s Lande Asiru breaks the news of the launch of MPI Target-Date Radar, “a tool that helps 401(k) plan advisors better select TDFs for plan sponsors, supporting them in meeting their fiduciary obligations.” The defined contribution-focused publication provides an overview of how the tool works. Click here to read the press release.