With the return of market volatility in 2018, professional fund buyers share their top concerns – and how they plan to meet their investment goals despite them.

• Rising rates and rising volatility add up to a market that favors active management for 80% of respondents.

• Managing duration and incorporating alternatives are key components of rising rate strategies.

• Seven in ten find it essential to invest in alternatives to help diversify portfolio risk.

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Meet the new normal, same as the old normal

Volatility is back. While the ups and downs of early 2018 may have caught some investors off guard, professional fund buyers have been expecting a volatility spike for some time. Our recent survey of fund buyers reveals a market view that feels more like 2007 – and looks like a return to the old normal. Learn how they're reassessing the assumptions that served them so well in post-crisis markets.

Market volatility is center stage
Professional fund buyers have had their eye on volatility for some time. And they agree that investors should, too.


Top portfolio risk concerns for professional fund buyers

Buyers foresee risks, but are split on what it will mean for portfolio performance. Most see rate increases as a negative for overall performance (49%), but three in ten see a change in rates as a potential performance boost. The split in opinion may be driven by their investment horizon.

Top 3

Portfolio risk concerns



Learn more about how fund buyers are positioning portfolios for new market realities. Download the report.

How are professional fund buyers responding to today's market?

Despite these risks, professional fund buyers report an average return target of 8.4%. 82% of those surveyed say this goal is realistically achievable. But buyers know that their investment strategy needs to evolve to help better position portfolios for new market realities. They say that they'll:


Active management is critical

The fund buyers surveyed anticipate volatile markets, and 80% of respondents favor active management to counter rising rates and market volatility.


Alternatives: More important than ever

Seven in ten professional fund buyers say it's essential to use alternative investments to help diversify portfolio risk. They're likely to look for alpha with private equity – and seek to manage volatility using hedged equity and managed futures.

Low yields have made it challenging to generate a stable income stream. As a result, 59% report their organization is increasingly using alternatives as a fixed income replacement.

Where are professional buyers looking for stable income?



Find out where fund buyers are searching for new sources of income. Download the report.

Read the full Report

Learn more about how professional fund buyers are positioning portfolios in order to meet critical investment objectives.

 

 

This material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice.

All investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk in all market environments.

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss.

Alternative investments involve unique risks that may be different from those associated with traditional investments, including illiquidity and the potential for amplified losses or gains. Investors should fully understand the risks associated with any investment prior to investing.

Natixis Distribution, L.P. is a limited purpose broker-dealer and the distributor of various registered investment companies for which advisory services are provided by affiliates of Natixis Investment Managers.

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