Monday morning briefing – October 7, 2019
A look at hedge funds’ approaches to Brexit. The benefits and challenges of moving to the cloud. How AI will change the job market. And much more in this week’s briefing.
Economic/industry news
The U.S. unemployment rate hit a 50-year low: September unemployment rate falls to 3.5%, a 50-year low, as payrolls rise by 136,000
The Canadian economy was flat in July: StatsCan says economy flat in July as oil and gas sector down
More tariffs placed on Europe: U.S. to slap tariffs on European planes, whiskey after WTO ruling
How markets could be affected by an impeachment: What impeachment could mean for U.S. markets
Why now could be the time for alternatives: Is the tide turning for alternatives?
The benefits of investing in farmland: A look at the diversification benefits of farmland investing for pension funds
News and notes (U.S.)
Hedge fund launches rose in the second quarter: Number of new hedge fund launches up for second consecutive quarter
A look at hedge funds’ approaches to Brexit: How the hedge funds are really playing Brexit
Interest in private assets is high and will continue to grow: The unstoppable allure of private assets
A look at the PE middle market during the second quarter: 7 charts illustrating the US PE middle market in 2Q
Vanguard looking to enter the currency trading market: Vanguard to challenge banks’ grip on $6 trillion currency market
Mutual fund sales and performance over the past two weeks: Mutual funds scorecard: October 1 edition
The SEC is looking to modernize ETF regulations: The SEC says it’s making ETFs more accessible – here’s what that could mean for investors
More firms move to commission-free trading: TD Ameritrade announces zero commissions in tit-for-tat move
News and notes (Canada)
Purpose to incorporate ESG across all strategies: Purpose announces full ESG integration
National Bank launches green bond: National Bank issues sustainability bond
Canadian pension solvency fell to 98.6% in the third quarter: Canadian DB pension solvency declined in third quarter: surveys
CSA looking to improve its client-focused reforms: CSA introduces revised version of client-focused reforms
Responsible investing important to Canadian institutional investors: Canadian institutional investment pros say RI is important
On the pulse – New frontiers in fintech
A look at some fintech trends you may not already know about: Three overlooked trends in fintech
How to build a personalized experience: Secrets to building one-to-one digital experiences
How AI will change the job market: Artificial intelligence driving the next generation of jobs in the UK
Helping companies trade globally: Banks join forces on digital platform to help firms trade globally
Improving the branch experience: Interactive tech drives bank’s new experiential branch
The benefits and challenges of moving to the cloud: Interview with Bloomberg’s CIO: What’s driving financial services to the cloud?
A look at some examples of industry convergence: Industry convergence: Going beyond business boundaries
Robinhood adding well-known content to its app: Stock trading app Robinhood revamps its newsfeed with the Wall Street Journal and ad-free videos
The cost of fighting climate change: Americans fear climate change and the cost of fighting it
High-net-worth topics
Initiating the wealth transfer discussion between the high-net-worth and their children: How a UBS exec gets families to open up about wealth transfer
Goldman looking to attract the high-net-worth in Europe: Goldman is taking another stab at serving Europe’s rich
High-net-worth millennials believe they may need to work past retirement age: Survey: Many affluent millennials don’t think they can retire by 65
Polls & surveys – What financials are saying
Only 4% of CEO positions are held by women (CSA): Women gain share of board seats but not executive roles
Many Americans are concerned about their finances (NAPFA): Americans in need of some good financial advice: survey