Quality indexes have outperformed value, growth, and the broader market for decades. We believe an active approach to quality—one that focuses on companies with high levels of financial productivity to start—can increase return potential even further.

Quality indexes have outperformed value, growth, and the broader market for decades. We believe an active approach to quality—one that focuses on companies with high levels of financial productivity to start—can increase return potential even further.

Understanding the Quality Edge

Is there any place to hide from market volatility? There may be an alternative: hedged convertible bonds have a unique source of potential return that stems from volatility itself. And we believe they may be more than a short-term solution.

Is there any place to hide from market volatility? There may be an alternative: hedged convertible bonds have a unique source of potential return that stems from volatility itself. And we believe they may be more than a short-term solution.

There Is an Alternative: Hedged Convertible Bonds

Often ignored by global investors, Japanese equities now stand out as an opportunity relative to other developed markets and to their own history.

Often ignored by global investors, Japanese equities now stand out as an opportunity relative to other developed markets and to their own history.

Is the Third Time a Charm for Japanese Equities?

Rising energy prices are one of the most significant economic consequences of the conflict in Ukraine. Europe, which relies heavily on Russian oil and gas, has taken the greatest hit. But Europe is also one of Russia's best customers and a valuable source of revenues, meaning that the dependency cuts two ways.

The Double-Edged Sword

The mapping of the human genome compares in its impact to that of the silicon chip. Healthcare's Apples and Amazons may eventually emerge, but unlike the hot air that inflated earlier bubbles, published research findings can guide fundamental investors.

The mapping of the human genome compares in its impact to that of the silicon chip. Healthcare's Apples and Amazons may eventually emerge, but unlike the hot air that inflated earlier bubbles, published research findings can guide fundamental investors.

The Healthcare Revolution Is Happening Now

China’s increase in regulations over the past year has led to market value losses of more than US$1 trillion and raised doubts about the country’s commitment to a market-based economy. Many of the regulations, however, aim to address structural issues, especially growing income inequality. As China pushes for “common prosperity,” we believe the country can achieve more sustainable growth, and investors can uncover some compelling opportunities.

China’s increase in regulations over the past year has led to market value losses of more than US$1 trillion and raised doubts about the country’s commitment to a market-based economy. Many of the regulations, however, aim to address structural issues, especially growing income inequality. As China pushes for “common prosperity,” we believe the country can achieve more sustainable growth, and investors can uncover some compelling opportunities.

Spreading the Wealth: Investing in Xi’s China

The migration of sophisticated games onto mobile devices, which originated in Asia, has triggered explosive digital gaming growth worldwide.

State of Play

Agriculture’s dual nature as an essential resource and a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions poses a unique challenge, but we believe companies that provide exposure to solutions at the intersection of food production and environmental sustainability may be rewarded by the market in the long term.

Agriculture’s dual nature as an essential resource and a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions poses a unique challenge, but we believe companies that provide exposure to solutions at the intersection of food production and environmental sustainability may be rewarded by the market in the long term.

Setting the Table for 10 Billion: The Need for Sustainable Agriculture

If inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target through 2022 and then stabilizes at or slightly above 2% thereafter, it will mark a major turning point for interest rates.

If inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target through 2022 and then stabilizes at or slightly above 2% thereafter, it will mark a major turning point for interest rates.

Are Inflation Concerns Inflated?

SPACs, special purpose acquisition corporations, have become an attractive alternative to traditional IPOs. PIPEs—private investments in public equity—may well offer the most promising entry point.

SPACs, special purpose acquisition corporations, have become an attractive alternative to traditional IPOs. PIPEs—private investments in public equity—may well offer the most promising entry point.

How SPAC Skepticism Has Given PIPE Investors an Edge

Lazard Insights Conference Calls are part of an ongoing series of conference calls discussing timely issues in today's market. The calls are not specific to any Lazard product, and are designed to bring value-added insights to clients and prospects and to promote our intellectual capital. © 2018 Lazard Asset Management LLC.

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Lazard Insights

We use a case study on water risk in the global beverage industry to show how sustainability has many profound and far-reaching implications.

We use a case study on water risk in the global beverage industry to show how sustainability has many profound and far-reaching implications.

The Value of Water

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced extraordinary uncertainty and volatility to financial markets and put volatility forecasting strategies to the test.

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced extraordinary uncertainty and volatility to financial markets and put volatility forecasting strategies to the test.

Volatility’s Return: An Asset Allocator’s View of the COVID-19 Pandemic

We discuss the flaws and biases of forecasters and propose a probabilistic framework to forecasting the market.

We discuss the flaws and biases of forecasters and propose a probabilistic framework to forecasting the market.

The Art and Science of Forecasting

One of the biggest businesses in the world is one consumers never see and may not even be aware of: the global payments system. We take a look at the giant players in this industry, the evolution of the payments systems in China and the US, and finally, the next opportunity: India.

One of the biggest businesses in the world is one consumers never see and may not even be aware of: the global payments system. We take a look at the giant players in this industry, the evolution of the payments systems in China and the US, and finally, the next opportunity: India.

Digital Disruption in Payments

Ronald Temple outlines four trade deal scenarios and describes how investors might position their portfolios against a trade-tension recession.

Ronald Temple outlines four trade deal scenarios and describes how investors might position their portfolios against a trade-tension recession.

Trade Tensions Begin to Bite

We evaluate the cyclical factors and the structural support that could revive the housing markets.

We evaluate the cyclical factors and the structural support that could revive the housing markets.

Is There Still Life in the US Housing Recovery?

We discuss how technology is rapidly changing the emerging markets investment landscape.

We discuss how technology is rapidly changing the emerging markets investment landscape.

Emerging Markets: The World's Innovation Lab

Behind the glum market outlook a European recovery is gaining steam, creating an environment that favors alpha generation, even as fundamentals lag in traditional growth industries.

Behind the glum market outlook a European recovery is gaining steam, creating an environment that favors alpha generation, even as fundamentals lag in traditional growth industries.

Recovery, Value and Opportunity: The Case for European Equities

The era of benign markets appears to be over. We explain the market’s historic bull run, sources of the market’s recent volatility, and prospects for a shift in market leadership. AUTHOR Paul Moghtader, CFA Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Paul Moghtader is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst, leading Lazard's Equity Advantage team. He began working in the investment field in 1992. Prior to joining Lazard in 2007, Paul was Head of the Global Active Equity Group and a Senior Portfolio Manager at State Street Global Advisors (SSgA). At SSgA Paul was the senior manager responsible for the research and portfolio management of all multi-regional active quantitative equity strategies. Previously, Paul was an analyst at State Street Bank. He began his career at Dain Bosworth as a research assistant. Paul has a Master of Management (MM) from Northwestern University and a BA in Economics from Macalester College. Paul is a CFA® charterholder.

The era of benign markets appears to be over. We explain the market’s historic bull run, sources of the market’s recent volatility, and prospects for a shift in market leadership. AUTHOR Paul Moghtader, CFA Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Paul Moghtader is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst, leading Lazard's Equity Advantage team. He began working in the investment field in 1992. Prior to joining Lazard in 2007, Paul was Head of the Global Active Equity Group and a Senior Portfolio Manager at State Street Global Advisors (SSgA). At SSgA Paul was the senior manager responsible for the research and portfolio management of all multi-regional active quantitative equity strategies. Previously, Paul was an analyst at State Street Bank. He began his career at Dain Bosworth as a research assistant. Paul has a Master of Management (MM) from Northwestern University and a BA in Economics from Macalester College. Paul is a CFA® charterholder.

This Fall's Wake-Up Call

In the US, unemployment is low, corporate earnings are growing, and businesses remain confident. But with global uncertainty running high, it may be time for investors to refocus on the fundamentals.

In the US, unemployment is low, corporate earnings are growing, and businesses remain confident. But with global uncertainty running high, it may be time for investors to refocus on the fundamentals.

Why So Much Negativity?

The best philosophy podcast episodes. Asking questions about how to live a better life, what it means to be and do good, to the idea of God. This topic includes episodes that bring about important questions that everyone should be asking themselves. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Practical Philosophy & How To Live

The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!