The latest thoughts on investment strategy and the markets, plus tools and templates from Raffa’s portfolio management team to empower nonprofits and associations to make better informed investment decisions.
U.S. stocks posted another month of solid gains in May, supported by continued strength in technology and artificial intelligence related sectors, better than expected corporate earnings, and optimism surrounding further geopolitical de-escalation in the Middle East. Inflation, however, remained a key concern.
Choosing investment benchmarks, and reviewing performance against them consistently, is central to how a finance committee exercises fiduciary oversight of its reserves. This article covers what a benchmark is, how to identify one that fits your portfolio, examples of commonly used benchmarks, and how to monitor performance over time.
Economic data remained generally resilient, while inflation moved modestly higher in March, with energy prices contributing to renewed price pressures amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Learn more about how stocks and bonds performed through April and what we are watching as we move forward.
The distinction between discretionary (OCIO) and non-discretionary investment management comes down to who has authority to act. Both approaches can be appropriate in different circumstances. The key is understanding how each structure affects decision-making over time. Learn more.
March was a volatile month for markets, as the war in Iran intensified early in the month and had ripple effects across global markets. Learn more.
The biggest challenge for charitable nonprofits in the current volatile economy is not just that funding may decline, but that it is becoming harder to predict. Read more.
The impact of the Middle East conflict is already showing up in association budgets, board conversations, and finance committee agendas. Read more.
Recent developments involving Iran have understandably raised questions about how geopolitical events may affect markets and portfolios. Learn more.
Key Takeaways: Finance committees at nonprofits and associations regularly ask whether their reserves are where they should be. Peer benchmarking provides a credible frame of
Market Commentary U.S. stocks edged down in February, though performance varied beneath the surface. Market breadth continued to improve, as weakness among large-cap stocks weighed
