Online Exclusives

• Articles

  • Managers Optimistic About Housing Market Rebound (January 2013)

    Northern Trust survey finds investment managers are also more positive about other key economic measures.

  • Building Out Infrastructue Allocations (October 2012)

    Global listed securities offer institutional investors attractive yield and inflation-protection characteristics.

  • The Evolution of DC Plan Diversification (October 2012)

    As defined contribution (DC) plans evolve as the primary retirement vehicle for many people, plan sponsors pursuing diversification are taking a page from the playbook of defined benefit (DB) plans.

  • Outlook Identifies Key Economic, Market Themes (October 2012)

    Northern Trust’s Capital Market Assumptions working group releases its perspective on risk-return assumptions for key asset classes.

  • Gaining Exposure to Chinese Mainland Companies (October 2012)

    Indexing strategies can prove an attractive alternative to direct investments in Chinese equities.

  • Uncertainty Surrounds Regulatory Changes (August 2012)

    More than halfway through 2012, investors and institutions are still waiting on final details of many global regulatory efforts.

  • Beyond Modern Portfolio Theory (April 2012)

    Northern Trust’s Michael DeJuan explains how innovations have advanced portfolio construction techniques in response to a changing market environment.

  • Four Themes to Shape Institutional Portfolios (April 2012)

    Investor awareness of bigger picture can enhance the likelihood of reaching investment goals and objectives.

  • All Glidepaths Are Not Created Equal (April 2012)

    With the growing popularity of target retirement date funds, plan sponsors must consider the underlying methodology evaluating alternatives.

  • Changing Perspectives on Passive Investing (April 2012)

    Customized beta gains attention as institutional investors shift focus to fund objectives rather than relative performance.

  • The Path Forward: Engaging Younger Employees (Fall 2011)

    Northern Trust research reveals the need for DC plan sponsors to develop strategies for boosting meaningful participation among workers under 35.

  • The Time Could Be Right to Extend Maturities (Fall 2011)

    Investors searching for ways to boost low yields may want to consider moving out along the yield curve through an ultra-short cash strategy.

  • Deflation Concerns Valid, But Inflation Still A Factor
    (Fall 2011)

    While history shows deflationary periods are infrequent and relatively short in duration, the inevitable return of inflation is a longer-term challenge for investors.

  • Access Key to Private Equity Opportunities (Fall 2011)

    A tough fund-raising environment often results in a flight to quality. With the benefit of sound investment advice, investors can seize the opportunities this represents.

  • The Importance of Tailored DC Plan Communications (April 2011)

    As employees become more engaged in their retirement planning, they will require more help and information from plan sponsors.

  • Perpetual Motion: The Regulatory Balancing Act (July 2011)

    U.S. and European regulators seek balance between limiting systemic risks and stifling financial markets.

  • The Evolution of Dodd-Frank (July 2011)

    A year after the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law, regulatory reforms envisioned by the Act are still being defined and negotiated, and many provisions affecting institutional investors are still in the works.

  • OTC Derivatives Regs a Mixed Bag for Investors (July 2011)

    Less customization and higher collateral and margin expenses are likely, but central counterparty clearing would mitigate default risks.

  • UCITS Upgrade Brings Competition, Cost Savings (July 2011)

    The European Union’s updated Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (“UCITS”) could lead to lower costs while bringing more transparent corporate governance and user-friendly client communication.

  • Actively Designed, Passively Managed (Spring 2011)

    Examples of how investors are increasingly choosing a mix of both active and passive managers to get the best of both worlds.

  • Mapping the Investment Landscape (Winter 2011)

    Northern Trust's institutional client conference offers insights and advice for achieving success in the post-crisis environment.

  • Is the SEC’s Proposal on Target? (Summer/Fall 2010)

    Jim Danaher, senior investment product manager in the DC Solutions Group at Northern Trust, discusses the Security and Exchange Commission’s proposed rule amendments regarding target date fund communications.

  • DC Plans: Retirement Income Strategies (Winter 2010)

    Point of View's recent survey on retirement income strategies reveals that plan sponsors don't believe their DC plans are adequately structured to address retirement asset distribution.

  • Room for International Investment Growth in Portfolios (June 2010)

    The majority of institutional investors don’t take advantage of international investment opportunities.

• White Papers

  • 3Q Multi-Manager Survey (October 2012)

    Managers see housing market rebound, less downside risk in GDP growth.

  • Five-Year Outlook: 2012 Edition (October 2012)

    Northern Trust's Capital Market Assumptions working group releases risk-return assumptions for key asset classes.

  • Gaining Exposure to Infrastructure (September 2012)

    Listed infrastructure may offer attractive cash flows, inflation protection, dividend yields.

  • Adding Value With Ultra-Short Fixed Income (April 2012)

    Northern Trust paper explains how investors can potentially improve returns while still seeking to preserve principal, even in a rising interest rate environment.

  • Quality, Dividends and Portfolio Application (March 2012)

    Northern Trust research identifies ways to overcome the limitations of traditional low volatility portfolios.

  • Emerging Markets Debt Offers Investment Opportunities (2012 Issue 1)

    Northern Trust white paper explains the benefits of the asset class, including attractive yields and absolute returns as well as appealing diversification and risk characteristics.

  • Commentary: Northern Trust's 2012 Outlook (2012 Issue 1)

    Northern Trust Chief Investment Strategist Jim McDonald sees the markets in 2012 engaged in a “tug of war” between improving growth in the United States and emerging.

  • Controlling Volatility in Small-Cap Equity Portfolios (2012 Issue 1)

    Northern Trust paper explains why investors aren’t always compensated for the risk in small-cap stock portfolios, and what they can do about it.

  • Survey Finds Changing Views on Risk, Market Volatility (Fall 2011)

    The Northern Trust Investment Manager Survey reveals increasing risk aversion among managers and concern about higher volatility through the remainder of 2011.

  • Integrating Assets and Liabilities (Spring 2011)
  • Economic Commentary From Paul Kasriel (Spring 2011)
  • A Break in the Clouds (October 2009)
  • Transitioning Portfolios During Volatile Times (April 2008)
  • Index Bulletin (January 2010)
  • International Transitions Costs and Risks (December 2009)
  • 2010 Investment Outlook (March 2010)
  • Closing the Gaps in Retirement Readiness (September 2009)
  • Fiduciary Oversight in Transition Management (May 2010)

• Audio Podcasts

  • An Extended Conversation With Pew’s Richard Fry
    (August 2012)

    Listen to the entire discussion between Northern Trust’s Jim Danaher and Pew Research’s Richard Fry on the financial challenges and encouraging signs for younger adults.

  • More Thoughts from Boston College's Alicia Munnell
    (Fall 2011)

    Boston College’s Alicia Munnell and Northern Trust’s Jim Danaher on the effectiveness of defined contribution plans as retirement savings vehicles.

  • Retirement Income Vehicles (Part 1: 11 min. 5 sec., Part 2: 11 min.)

    In this two-part audio podcast, Susan Czochara of Northern Trust’s DC Solutions Group speaks with Professor Jeffrey Brown about public policy, plan sponsor behavior and innovations in DC plans.

    Listen now to Retirement Income Vehicles (To download, right click on the link and select "Save As.")

• Videos

  • Controlling the Costs of DC Plans (2012 Issue 1)

    Northern Trust's Defined Contribution Solutions Group examines the effect of fees on retirement plan assets, plus strategies to help control costs and improve disclosure. Part 1 Part 2

  • Asset & Liability Management in a New Era (Fall 2011)

    A two-part series offering fresh approaches and integrated strategies for managing assets and liabilities in an uncertain environment. Part 1 Part 2

  • Perspectives on the Ideal DC Plan (Spring 2011)

    Northern Trust’s DC Solutions Group offers insight into how efforts by plan sponsors helps increase participant’s retirement savings.

  • Defined Contribution Market Place Update (Runtimes 6 - 7 min.)

    In this ongoing video series Jim Danaher and Susan Czochara, Senior Product Specialists, DC Solutions Group, discuss DC plans, and investment, market and regulatory influences.

  • The Northern Trust Perspective (Runtimes 3 - 6 min.)

    Each month, Jim McDonald, chief investment strategist for Northern Trust, discusses how recent market events might impact investment allocation decisions in this ongoing video series.

  • Fixed-Income Market Update (Runtimes 3 - 6 min.)

    In this podcast with Colin Robertson, managing director of fixed income for Northern Trust, you can gain insights into how liquidity, volatility and government actions are impacting the credit markets and the economy.

  • Retirement Solutions On Demand series (Runtimes 5 - 9 minutes)

    In this ongoing series, Pensions Insights magazine interviews experts within Northern Trust's Retirement Solutions Practice about issues facing retirement plans.

  • DC Insights: Participant Education (2 min., 27 sec.)

    Jim Danaher of Northern Trust's DC Solutions Group explains how defined contribution plan sponsors can influence participant behavior.

  • DC Insights: Scenario Testing (2 min., 34 sec.)

    Susan Czochara of Northern Trust's DC Solutions Group discusses the importance of glidepath construction in assessing target date funds.