September, 2016

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Beating Your Own Investments

The Irrelevant Investor

Add Julian Robertson and Howard Marks to the long list of billionaires that are less than optimistic about the future. All the reasons they cite are unfortunately very compelling, but pessimists always sound intelligent. You can probably count on one hand the number of investors that were actually able to capitalize on their pessimism. But let's say all these billionaires are right and U.S. stocks will in fact experience lower returns going forward.

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Proposed Tax Law Changes Prompt Estate Planning Review

Brown Advisory

Proposed Tax Law Changes Prompt Estate Planning Review achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 06:00 A plan to maximize a family’s financial legacy usually saves the most tax by leveraging the longterm compounding of investments outside of the taxable estate. Adopting a program of planning early, and monitoring that program, often brings the best results. But saving tax is not the only objective— clients also need to know that their financial security is assured and that the long-term stewardship of family asse

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The Point Of No Risk

The Irrelevant Investor

"When everyone believes something is risky, their unwillingness to buy usually reduces its price to the point where it's not risky at all. Broadly negative opinion can make it the least risky thing, since all optimism has been driven out of its price." This Howard Marks quote is the perfect way to describe what's happened with biotech stocks this year.

Assets 52
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Sustainable Investing Special Edition September 2016

Brown Advisory

Sustainable Investing Special Edition September 2016 achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 07:07 In this issue: From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios Mike Hankin, Brown Advisory President and CEO, describes a framework for helping clients incorporate their values into their investment portfolios. By Michael D. Hankin, Chief Executive Officer ⚑ Sustainable Investing Investors Seeking Sustainability Gain Confidence Through Screening By screening their portfolios, investors align their a

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Are Robots Replacing You? Keeping Humans in the Loop in Automated Environments

Speaker: Erroll Amacker

As businesses increasingly adopt automation, finance leaders must navigate the delicate balance between technology and human expertise. This webinar explores the critical role of human oversight in accounts payable (AP) automation and how a people-centric approach can drive better financial performance. Join us for an insightful discussion on how integrating human expertise into automated workflows enhances decision-making, reduces fraud risks, strengthens vendor relationships, and accelerates R

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From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios

Brown Advisory

From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 08:16 Last year, we published our first special edition of The Advisory focused on sustainable investing. At the time I wrote that our firm was fully committed to helping clients sort through an array of choices in sustainable investing, and to developing a tailored approach for each client—one that best fits their long-term goals.

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Diving Deep: Achieving Outperformance By Using Environmental Research

Brown Advisory

Diving Deep: Achieving Outperformance By Using Environmental Research achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 10:22 ARM Holdings rose to dominance among makers of smartphone microprocessors by focusing on energy efficiency rather than pure computational power and speed. WhiteWave Foods has grown faster than its more conventional rivals because of its commitment to producing organic, healthful and minimally processed foods.

Food 52

More Trending

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Case Studies Show Sustainable Investing Yields Varied Benefits

Brown Advisory

Case Studies Show Sustainable Investing Yields Varied Benefits achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 12:31 Nurturing Well-Being Through Sustainable Investing Nancy Klavans is hardly a newcomer to the idea of backing projects that improve the lives of others. Since 1991 the Germeshausen Foundation created by Nancy’s parents, Polly and Ken Germeshausen, has made innovative grants linking different fields including education, the arts, sustainability, religion and peace- building.

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Private Credit Outshines Many High-Valuation Stocks, Bonds

Brown Advisory

Private Credit Outshines Many High-Valuation Stocks, Bonds. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 05:00. Sometimes it pays for investors to find sources of income outside the conventional public channels for fixed income securities. Take private credit, for example. With interest rates at record lows and many publicly traded bonds and stocks approaching historically high valuations, private credit has become increasingly attractive to investors because of its total return prospects, steady income and role in

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Proposed Tax Law Changes Prompt Estate Planning Review

Brown Advisory

Proposed Tax Law Changes Prompt Estate Planning Review. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 06:00. A plan to maximize a family’s financial legacy usually saves the most tax by leveraging the longterm compounding of investments outside of the taxable estate. Adopting a program of planning early, and monitoring that program, often brings the best results. But saving tax is not the only objective— clients also need to know that their financial security is assured and that the long-term stewardship of family a

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Sustainable Investing Special Edition September 2016

Brown Advisory

Sustainable Investing Special Edition September 2016. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 07:07. In this issue: From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios Mike Hankin, Brown Advisory President and CEO, describes a framework for helping clients incorporate their values into their investment portfolios. By Michael D. Hankin, Chief Executive Officer ?

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Book of Secrets on the Month-End Close

Based off SkyStem's popular e-Book, the book of secrets to the month-end close will be revealed in this one-hour webinar. Learn leading practices when it comes to building a strong and sustainable month-end close that has room to grow and evolve. Learn about the power of precise estimates, why reconciliations are critical to closing the books, how and when to automate, and how the chart of accounts play into your close process.

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From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios

Brown Advisory

From our CEO: How We Help Clients Build Sustainable Portfolios. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 08:16. Last year, we published our first special edition of The Advisory focused on sustainable investing. At the time I wrote that our firm was fully committed to helping clients sort through an array of choices in sustainable investing, and to developing a tailored approach for each client—one that best fits their long-term goals.

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Diving Deep: Achieving Outperformance By Using Environmental Research

Brown Advisory

Diving Deep: Achieving Outperformance By Using Environmental Research. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 10:22. ARM Holdings rose to dominance among makers of smartphone microprocessors by focusing on energy efficiency rather than pure computational power and speed. WhiteWave Foods has grown faster than its more conventional rivals because of its commitment to producing organic, healthful and minimally processed foods.

Food 52
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Five Ways to Invest That Make the World a Better Place

Brown Advisory

Five Ways to Invest That Make the World a Better Place. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 11:11. Henry David Thoreau did not live to see the rise of impact investing, but he captured the spirit of it with a simple insight—“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”. Impact investors align their assets behind their advocacy, whether it be for advances in environmental stewardship, human livelihood or public policy.

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Case Studies Show Sustainable Investing Yields Varied Benefits

Brown Advisory

Case Studies Show Sustainable Investing Yields Varied Benefits. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 12:31. Nurturing Well-Being Through Sustainable Investing. Nancy Klavans is hardly a newcomer to the idea of backing projects that improve the lives of others. Since 1991 the Germeshausen Foundation created by Nancy’s parents, Polly and Ken Germeshausen, has made innovative grants linking different fields including education, the arts, sustainability, religion and peace- building.

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Stop Falling Short When It Matters Most—The Elite Advisor’s Playbook to Success

Like being inches from the end zone, many advisors are frustratingly close to their next level of success. You work hard. You put in the hours. But if your closing rate is stuck or your pipeline feels like a revolving door… something has to change. Most advisors are just one small shift away from dramatically increasing their revenue. The difference?

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September 2016 Insights on Markets and Investments

Brown Advisory

September 2016 Insights on Markets and Investments achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 01:00 In this issue: Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense Increasing political and economic risk during the past year has widened the range of possible positive and negative scenarios for financial markets. Consequently, investors need to build a solid defensive position while seizing opportunities that arise amid the instability.

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September 2016 Insights on Markets and Investments

Brown Advisory

September 2016 Insights on Markets and Investments. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 01:00. In this issue: Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense Increasing political and economic risk during the past year has widened the range of possible positive and negative scenarios for financial markets. Consequently, investors need to build a solid defensive position while seizing opportunities that arise amid the instability.

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Looking For Signals

The Irrelevant Investor

In September 1929, just three days before the market crashed, Irving Fisher famously said "Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau." He died 18 year later, having never seen stocks at a higher level than when he made that statement. A few weeks earlier, a more glaring, yet overlooked contrarian signal was provided by John J. Raskob, the builder of the Empire State Building.

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Bigger, Stronger and Luckier

The Irrelevant Investor

Professional football players today bear little resemblance to the ones who suited up in the past. In the 1920s, the average offensive lineman- the biggest guys on the field- were 6'0 tall and 211 pounds. To put that in perspective, Odell Beckham, a smallish wide receiver is 5'11 and weighs 200 pounds. Source: Business Insider As NFL players grow bigger, stronger and faster, the standard deviation of play has decreased over time.

Numbers 52
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The Future Of Finance: How To Manage Spend The Right Way

Speaker: Aaron Berson

Managing spend is more than a cost cutting exercise – it's a pathway to smarter decisions that unlock efficiency and drive growth. By understanding and refining the spending process, financial leaders can empower their organizations to achieve more with less. Explore the art of balancing financial control with operational growth. From uncovering hidden inefficiencies to designing workflows that scale your business, we’ll share strategies to align your organization’s spending with its strategic g

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How Twelve and a Half Cents Changed History

The Irrelevant Investor

What if Walter White was played by Matthew Broderick and not Bryan Cranston? What if Phil Jackson sent Kobe Bryant to the Pistons for Grant Hill? What if free agent Tim Duncan signed with the Magic in 2000? It's safe to say that Breaking Bad would not have won 110 Emmy awards without Bryan Cranston, and the Spurs and Lakers would not have won a combined eight championships from 2000-2010 without Kobe or Duncan.

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The Worst Month of the Year

The Irrelevant Investor

According to a recent study , of the 47 most-damaging hurricanes between 1950 and 2012, storms with male names produced an average of 23 deaths, while those with feminine names killed 45 people on average. In less absurd, but still true studies, September has historically been the worst month of the year for stocks. In fact, it's the only month that's been negative, on average.

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Global Leaders Investment Letter - Q3 2016

Brown Advisory

Global Leaders Investment Letter - Q3 2016 ajackson Fri, 09/30/2016 - 09:50 Global Leaders Strategy Investment Letter - Q3 2016 In this letter the team discuss the current environment of higher valuations and the impact this is having on their investability test as part of their process. They describe their concept of calculating value using the weighted average cost of capital (WACC).

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Global Leaders Investment Letter - Q3 2016

Brown Advisory

Global Leaders Investment Letter - Q3 2016. ajackson. Fri, 09/30/2016 - 09:50. Global Leaders Strategy Investment Letter - Q3 2016. In this letter the team discuss the current environment of higher valuations and the impact this is having on their investability test as part of their process. They describe their concept of calculating value using the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). . .

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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

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If You’re Buying, Who’s Selling?

The Irrelevant Investor

A few weeks ago at dinner I was getting set to order a brisket sandwich. Then I saw that this tower of goodness, which was covered with beer braised bacon and other accoutrements, came with a hefty price tag of 1400 calories. I thought better and went for the grilled chicken instead. Investors could use something that would act like a calorie counter.

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Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense

Brown Advisory

Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 02:00 As rising economic and political risk fuels market volatility worldwide, investors need to maintain adequate liquidity, stability and diversification to shield against any protracted economic downturn. At the same time, they should be alert to the investment opportunities that emerge amid turbulence, knowing that companies create value, and innovation and entrepreneurship generate wealth, even amid seve

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Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense

Brown Advisory

Investors Facing Rising Risks Need Solid Defense, Savvy Offense. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 02:00. As rising economic and political risk fuels market volatility worldwide, investors need to maintain adequate liquidity, stability and diversification to shield against any protracted economic downturn. At the same time, they should be alert to the investment opportunities that emerge amid turbulence, knowing that companies create value, and innovation and entrepreneurship generate wealth, even amid s

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Investors Seeking Sustainability Gain Confidence Through Screening

Brown Advisory

Investors Seeking Sustainability Gain Confidence Through Screening achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 09:40 Some Wal-Mart stores sell rifles, some Starbucks coffee shops sell alcohol and GE builds engines for jet fighters and bombers. While generating just a small part of their revenues from these products, these companies pose a dilemma to investors who want to purge their portfolios of connections with guns, alcohol or the military.

Clients 52
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Avoiding Lease Accounting Pitfalls in 2025: Lessons Learned from Spreadsheet Errors

Speaker: Abdi Ali, Sr. Lease Accounting Consultant

Join this insightful webinar with industry expert Abdi Ali, who will discuss the challenges that can arise from managing lease accounting with spreadsheets! He will share real-world examples of errors, compliance issues, and risks that may be present within your spreadsheets. Learn how these tools, while useful, can sometimes lead to inefficiencies that affect your time, resources, and peace of mind.

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Investors Seeking Sustainability Gain Confidence Through Screening

Brown Advisory

Investors Seeking Sustainability Gain Confidence Through Screening. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 09:40. Some Wal-Mart stores sell rifles, some Starbucks coffee shops sell alcohol and GE builds engines for jet fighters and bombers. While generating just a small part of their revenues from these products, these companies pose a dilemma to investors who want to purge their portfolios of connections with guns, alcohol or the military.

Clients 52
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Falling Interest Rates Trigger Investor Hunger For Yield

Brown Advisory

Falling Interest Rates Trigger Investor Hunger For Yield achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 03:00 The rush by investors had all the hallmarks of a bond market panic. When the U.K. voted on June 23 to leave the European Union, yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note plunged to a record low of 1.32%. Yet fear that the EU will unravel was not the only impulse driving investors.

Banking 52
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Falling Interest Rates Trigger Investor Hunger For Yield

Brown Advisory

Falling Interest Rates Trigger Investor Hunger For Yield. achen. Mon, 09/12/2016 - 03:00. The rush by investors had all the hallmarks of a bond market panic. When the U.K. voted on June 23 to leave the European Union, yields on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note plunged to a record low of 1.32%. Yet fear that the EU will unravel was not the only impulse driving investors.

Banking 52
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Defense Industry Stocks Gain Amid Rising Global Tension

Brown Advisory

Defense Industry Stocks Gain Amid Rising Global Tension achen Mon, 09/12/2016 - 04:00 Forget the Machiavellian notion that the best defense is a strong offense. Amid persistent instability in geopolitics and global finance, an investor in equities can both limit risk and find opportunity with a targeted stake in the defense industry. An investment in defense contractors—which tend to perform independently of economic growth—provides diversification that could help buffer a portfolio against setb

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Next-Level Fraud Prevention: Strategies for Today’s Threat Landscape

Speaker: Sierre Lindgren

Fraud is a battle that every organization must face – it’s no longer a question of “if” but “when.” Every organization is a potential target for fraud, and the finance department is often the bullseye. From cleverly disguised emails to fraudulent payment requests, the tactics of cybercriminals are advancing rapidly. Drawing insights from real-world cases and industry expertise, we’ll explore the vulnerabilities in your processes and how to fortify them effectively.