Public Relations and Social Media Manager, Dechert LLP

Peggy Heffner

Public Relations and Social Media Manager

Dechert is a global specialist law firm

Dechert LLP

Dechert is a global specialist law firm.
Focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies and highest regulatory demands, we excel in delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters.

Our work is widely recognized. We have 20 standout practices noted by Chambers Global, including global-wide rankings for arbitration, corporate investigations, anti-corruption, investment funds and life sciences. Named Antitrust Team of the Year, Chambers USA commends our “accomplished group” as “routinely sought after to handle some of the most significant litigation and transactions in the antitrust world.” 

In an increasingly challenging environment, clients look to us to serve them in ways that are faster, sharper and leaner without compromising excellence. We developed a first-of-its kind legal project management department, which uses technology, people and processes to drive efficiency and deliver value for our clients.

We are innovators. Dechert ranked #7 in the Financial Times’ Top North American Innovative Law Firms. Financial Times also recognizes us among the Top European Innovative Law Firms and highly commends World Compass, our marketing compliance service, which offers investment firms advice in more than 100 jurisdictions.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

For the past several years, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has been in the process of revising the “investment advice” regulations that govern “fiduciary” status under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Revising these ERISA rules has been a high priority of President Obama’s administration for quite some time, and was the centerpiece of a policy speech by the President on February 23, 2015. These rules had not been meaningfully revised since 1975, notwithstanding the dramatic shift in the retirement market from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans (such as “401(k)” plans) and individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).

For the past several years, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has been in the process of revising the “investment advice” regulations that govern “fiduciary” status under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). Revising these ERISA rules has been a high priority of President Obama’s administration for quite some time, and was the centerpiece of a policy speech by the President on February 23, 2015. These rules had not been meaningfully revised since 1975, notwithstanding the dramatic shift in the retirement market from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans (such as “401(k)” plans) and individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).

The Brave New Fiduciary World Has Arrived - Has the Department of Labor Found a More Ideal Balance?

<ul>
<li>There has been buzz in the tax and private equity communities about the rise in audits of private equity firms by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).</li>
<li>This has been fuelled by the restructuring of the IRS’ Large Business &amp; International group, a report by the Government Accountability Office analyzing IRS audits of “large” partnerships, and public statements by IRS officials of the IRS’ intent to apply more resources to audits of partnerships, “mid-market” companies and high net worth…</li>
</ul>


There has been buzz in the tax and private equity communities about the rise in audits of private equity firms by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).
This has been fuelled by the restructuring of the IRS’ Large Business &amp; International group, a report by the Government Accountability Office analyzing IRS audits of “large” partnerships, and public statements by IRS officials of the IRS’ intent to apply more resources to audits of partnerships, “mid-market” companies and high net worth…


Partnership Audits of Private Equity Firms on the Rise

Leading Independent Investment Research, Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar

Leading Independent Investment Research

Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. We offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. 

Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 16 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $180 billion in assets under advisement or management as of June 30, 2015. We have operations in 27 countries.

Download the Morningstar Fact Sheet : http://corporate.morningstar.com/US/documents/MarketingFactSheets/AboutMorningstarFactsheet.pdf

A shrinking work week and lackluster hourly wage growth amid higher inflation could be pinching consumers.A weak consumption report for February and huge downward revisions to the January consumption growth rates indicate that some of last week's caution may have been warranted.  Soft auto data at the end of the week indicated that consumption growth may not accelerate in March.The two other big pieces of data last week were the U.S. employment report, which was slightly better than expected, and purchasing data from around the world that came in better than hoped, with forward-looking data on new orders driving the composite index sharply higher, especially in the United States.Analysts: Robert Johnson &amp; Alina Tarlea

A shrinking work week and lackluster hourly wage growth amid higher inflation could be pinching consumers.A weak consumption report for February and huge downward revisions to the January consumption growth rates indicate that some of last week's caution may have been warranted.  Soft auto data at the end of the week indicated that consumption growth may not accelerate in March.The two other big pieces of data last week were the U.S. employment report, which was slightly better than expected, and purchasing data from around the world that came in better than hoped, with forward-looking data on new orders driving the composite index sharply higher, especially in the United States.Analysts: Robert Johnson &amp; Alina Tarlea

FX Strategist

Greg Gibbs

Fundamental analysis of topical themes in FX

Amplifying Global FX Capital

Amplifying Global FX Capital was founded in 2015 and is fully owned by Greg Gibbs. It is a registered company both in Australia and Colorado, USA and is a licensed in Australia to provide financial services.

We are producing a regular trading view orientated macroeconomic analysis of topical themes in global financial markets, with a particular focus on foreign exchange. We invite you to view an “executive summary” of these reports in “AmpGFX Reports” under our “Research” menu.

These reports are drawn from the analysis of Greg Gibbs and inform the capital management he undertakes on behalf of the company. The trading performance is posted periodically on our website. We aim to build our company into both a research and capital management business. We are currently in the planning phase for managing capital for wholesale customers.

Greg Gibbs has spent his working life of more than 26 years in financial markets, beginning in 1989 at the Reserve Bank of Australia, after completing a Bachelor of Economics Degree (Honours) at the Australian National University. He has been a CFA Charterholder since 2005. He has worked in Sydney, Singapore, New York and London for major global banks and presented on foreign exchange markets to major financial institutions and companies around the world, and maintained a high profile in the financial media.

Before Amplifying Global FX Capital, Greg was the Head of Asia Pacific Market Strategy at the Royal Bank of Scotland based Singapore. He now resides in Breckenridge Colorado.

Macroeconomics

The recent rebound in global assets has been driven by emerging market and USA assets, while other developed markets, particularly Japanese and Eurozone assets have lagged behind and indeed their bank stocks have sagged.  The rise in US assets is supported by resilience in US economic data, a dovish turn by the Fed and a weaker USD.  Stronger EM assets have been supported by a recovery in oil and other commodity prices, policy easing by China, Europe, and Japan, a dovish Fed, and improved outlook for Chinese growth, currency and asset markets. Weaker growth indicators in Japan, weaker inflation expectations in Europe, weaker bank equites, and overall sluggish equity performances suggest policymakers will work hard to prevent further strength in EUR and JPY.  It is hard to get behind the further rally in these currencies.  If risk aversion returns they may rise, but even then these gains are likely to be limited and gold should be favored as the alternative safe haven.  The outlook for EM assets is now more balanced after investors have piled back in over the last month.  The recent down-turn in oil prices may return as a dampening influence on EM assets and currencies. Investors may also start to consider the Fed coming back into play by mid-year.

The recent rebound in global assets has been driven by emerging market and USA assets, while other developed markets, particularly Japanese and Eurozone assets have lagged behind and indeed their bank stocks have sagged.  The rise in US assets is supported by resilience in US economic data, a dovish turn by the Fed and a weaker USD.  Stronger EM assets have been supported by a recovery in oil and other commodity prices, policy easing by China, Europe, and Japan, a dovish Fed, and improved outlook for Chinese growth, currency and asset markets. Weaker growth indicators in Japan, weaker inflation expectations in Europe, weaker bank equites, and overall sluggish equity performances suggest policymakers will work hard to prevent further strength in EUR and JPY.  It is hard to get behind the further rally in these currencies.  If risk aversion returns they may rise, but even then these gains are likely to be limited and gold should be favored as the alternative safe haven.  The outlook for EM assets is now more balanced after investors have piled back in over the last month.  The recent down-turn in oil prices may return as a dampening influence on EM assets and currencies. Investors may also start to consider the Fed coming back into play by mid-year.

AmpGFX - Warning Signs for EUR and JPY, EM Rally Mature, Gold May Be Poised for Renewed Strength

Macro Strategist, Saxo Capital Markets

Kay Van-Petersen

Macro Strategist

Saxo Capital Markets

<ul><li>Given the tight &amp; very light volumes last week, we really need everyone back in their trading seats to get a lay of the land</li><li>Key question still remains, is this US Dollar bounce the real thing? Or a head fake to another move lower</li><li>Being neither too smart nor too foolish, KVP is doing one of the hardest things a trader/Portfolio Manager can do, sitting on the side lines &amp; waiting…</li><li>Let the currents of probability dictate when its time to act… cause right now…  apart from some downside exposure through equity puts or VIX calls for the portfolio (equity vol is too low), things are looking neither here nor there…</li><li>WK 13: End of !Q16, US PCE &amp; NFP due, plus PMIs in full swing &amp; liquidity should be returning to the markets post the hols</li></ul>

Given the tight &amp; very light volumes last week, we really need everyone back in their trading seats to get a lay of the landKey question still remains, is this US Dollar bounce the real thing? Or a head fake to another move lowerBeing neither too smart nor too foolish, KVP is doing one of the hardest things a trader/Portfolio Manager can do, sitting on the side lines &amp; waiting…Let the currents of probability dictate when its time to act… cause right now…  apart from some downside exposure through equity puts or VIX calls for the portfolio (equity vol is too low), things are looking neither here nor there…WK 13: End of !Q16, US PCE &amp; NFP due, plus PMIs in full swing &amp; liquidity should be returning to the markets post the hols

Global Macro Take: WK 13. Sitting on the Side-Lines… for Now

United States

Arch Capital Group Ltd. is a Bermuda-based insurance and financial services company that provides reinsurance and insurance products on a worldwide basis.

American International Group, Inc. is an international insurance organization serving commercial, institutional and individual customers. AIG provides property-casualty insurance, life insurance and retirement services.

MetLife, Inc. provides individual insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the regions of Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The Company's products include life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowners insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals as well as group insurance.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and its subsidiaries provide insurance brokerage, risk management, employee benefit, and other related services to clients in the United States and abroad. The Company's principal activity is the negotiation and placement of insurance for its clients. Gallagher also specializes in furnishing risk management services.

The Travelers Companies, Inc. provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals.

Prudential Financial, Inc. provides financial services throughout the United States and several locations worldwide. The Company offers a variety of products and services, including life insurance, mutual funds, annuities, pension, and retirement related services, as well as administration and asset management.

Aflac, Inc. is a general business holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental insurance to individuals in the United States and Japan.  Aflac's products include accident/disability plans, cancer expense plans, short-term disability plans, sickness and hospital indemnity plans, hospital intensive care plans, and fixed-benefit dental plans.

The Allstate Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides property-liability insurance, as well as other types of insurance in the United States and Canada. The Company primarily sells private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance through independent and specialized brokers. Allstate also sells life insurance, annuity, and group pension products through agents.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty and life insurance.  The Company markets a variety of insurance products and provides leasing and financing services.

Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.  The Company also underwrites a diverse property, casualty, marine, and aviation insurance and reinsurance business on a worldwide basis.

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc. is a holding company established through reorganization of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited.  The Group writes marine, fire, casualty, automobile, life, and allied insurance policies. MS&AD Insurance Group also operates financial services and agencies.

China Life Insurance Company Ltd. offers a wide range of life, accident, and health insurance products and services.

China Pacific Insurance (Group) Company, Ltd. is an integrated insurance services provider. The Company offers life and property insurance products through its subsidiaries.

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc., through subsidiaries, offers property, casualty and life insurance, and asset management services.

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Limited provides a variety of insurance service in China.  The Company writes property, casualty, and life insurance.  Ping An Insurance also offers financial services.

AIA Group Limited offers insurance and financial services. The Company writes life insurance for individuals, businesses, accident, and health insurance, as well as retirement planning and wealth management services.

Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. offers life and non-life insurance and reinsurance throughout the world.  The Company offers life, health, accident, automobile, marine, aviation, transport, fire, general liability, and credit insurance and reinsurance.

AXA SA is an insurance company which also provides related financial services. The Company offers life and non-life insurance, savings and pension products, and asset management services.  AXA operates in both domestic and international markets.

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (MunichRe) provides financial services. The Company offers reinsurance, insurance, and asset management services. MunichRe has subsidiaries in most major financial centers throughout the world.

Zurich Insurance Group AG provides insurance-based financial services. The Company offers general and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, commercial enterprises, mid-sized and large corporations, and multinational companies.

Aon PLC is a professional services provider. The Company is comprised of risk and insurance brokerage consulting. Aon's services include helping manage risk for clients, negotiating and placing insurance risk with other carriers, and advising clients related to health and benefits, retirement, compensation, strategic human capital, and human resource outsourcing.

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Aon (AON US)

The Brave New Fiduciary World Has Arrived - Has the Department of Labor Found a More Ideal Balance?

For the past several years, the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) has been in the process of revising the “investment advice” regulations that...

Dechert LLP

Partnership Audits of Private Equity Firms on the Rise

There has been buzz in the tax and private equity communities about the rise in audits of private equity firms by the Internal Revenue Service...

Dechert LLP

Slower Income Growth Lurking

A shrinking work week and lackluster hourly wage growth amid higher inflation could be pinching consumers.A weak consumption report for February...

Morningstar, Inc.

AmpGFX - Warning Signs for EUR and JPY, EM Rally Mature, Gold May Be Poised for Renewed Strength

The recent rebound in global assets has been driven by emerging market and USA assets, while other developed markets, particularly Japanese and...

Greg Gibbs

Global Macro Take: WK 13. Sitting on the Side-Lines… for Now

Given the tight & very light volumes last week, we really need everyone back in their trading seats to get a lay of the land Key question...

Kay Van-Petersen

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