2023 Global Corporate Credit ESG Engagement Report
During the past year our established relationships with issuers in developed and emerging markets enabled us to have meaningful engagements with a number of management teams. We engaged on key ESG issues such as climate transition, equity, inclusion and diversity (EID), and executive compensation structure.
How Asset Selection Drives Deals
Intelligent asset selection is crucial in periods of volatility. GP-led secondaries provide the perfect opportunity to hand-pick the very best.
Asset Allocation at Official Institutions: Three Critical Steps
Three critical steps for asset allocation at Official Institutions: embrace less liquid markets; explore a fuller credit universe; think globally.
Bonds and Beyond in Today’s Fixed Income Markets
(25:51) As investors reassess their strategic asset allocation in this new investment regime, how should they position their fixed income portfolio?
Political Gridlock but Fiscal Largesse
How political dysfunction undermines debt sustainability and helps embed structurally higher inflation.
The Active Foundations of Sustainable Investing
As ESG and sustainability indices proliferate, we argue that sustainable investing is inherently an active management discipline.
The Sprint to Year-End
As the September starting gun sounds, here’s what we are looking out for on the track ahead.
Navigating by Flashes of Lightning
Central banks may be reluctant to hike further, but as long as they tie themselves to incoming data their hands may be forced.
Strike (Big) 3?
A potential U.S. auto strike has significant implications for the economy, earnings and inflation.
Neuberger Berman Private Markets: Q2 2023 Preliminary Valuation Summary & Analysis
(8:10) Doug Manor, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman Private Markets, provides an overview of private equity markets and an outlook based on trends in the marketplace.
Real Estate in a Time of Uncertainty
(20:40) As concerns about bank failures and rising interest rates persist, how has the real estate market been impacted?
Late-Summer Debates
A few key issues could disrupt investors’ peace and quiet as fall approaches in the Northern Hemisphere.
Working the Margins
While this is no time to be making major calls on asset allocation, in our view, there are abundant opportunities for generating incremental returns.
The Changing Sentiment Around Wealth
(24:41) As baby boomers have started to transfer their wealth to the next generation, how could their heirs reshape the wealth management industry?
The Consumer and the Stock Market
As the “wealth effect” is driven less by house prices and more by investment markets, it may change our views on asset valuations and portfolio construction.
What if Everything’s Going to Be OK?
Falling inflation, recovering growth, relaxed central bankers—how one of the most widely forecast recessions in history failed to happen.
The Implications Behind Indexation
(14:33) Are there misunderstood aspects of indexation that investors should be aware of?
Ten for 2023—Midyear Update
We check in on the key themes we anticipated from the economy and markets in 2023.
The Bridge to the Future
This year’s recommendation for vacation reading is the epic story of the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, resonant with dilemmas we still recognize today.
Net-Zero Alignment: Beyond the Numbers
There is no shortcut to assessing a portfolio’s net-zero alignment: data is incomplete, and we believe analysts’ insights are critical.
Engine Running, Shifting to Neutral
In the face of conflicting signals from our short- and medium-term outlooks, our Asset Allocation Committee is adopting more neutral views.
Taking Stock
As we reach the halfway point of an unexpected year for markets, what’s next for equities?
Emerging Opportunities in Emerging Markets Debt
(18:02) As a wave of sovereign debt default is on the rise, what’s next for Emerging Markets?
The Meaning Behind the Mean
The headline characteristics of today’s market obscure a wealth of opportunity, in both public and private markets.
Climate Innovation and the New Capex Cycle
The backdrop for investing in climate innovation is at a critical infection point
The View From the Peak
Despite hawkish policymakers and very mixed economic data, the approaching plateau in rates brings more clarity and conviction to our fixed income views.
Navigating the Evolving ESG Landscape
Expanding interest in ESG suggests that issuers are likely to be called upon for more disclosure, communication and progress in the coming years, making it crucial to effectively navigate these areas.
Economic and Market Review: Long-Term Optimism Amid Short-Term Headwinds
While the rally in mega-cap growth stocks has helped delay the next downturn, we reaffirm our emphasis on low-beta portfolios, higher earnings quality and defensive sectors.
Navigating Climate Analysis in Private Equity
The climate transition continues to be a topic of strategic focus for asset owners and private equity managers alike, but major hurdles remain in order to implement and evidence the progress toward decarbonization.
Last Mile for Tightening
With tightening nearing an end but policy rates likely to remain elevated, we currently favor shorter durations, quality and attention to underwriting.
The Fine Print of Indexation
A look at opportunity costs, long-term risks and complementary solutions
Commodities and Their Place in the Transition Pathway
(29:08) While commodities have been known to be a great inflation hedge, can this asset class also align with meeting the objectives of investors concerned about their environmental and social footprint?
Going Back to Base
In the face of conflicting signals from our short- and medium-term outlooks, our Asset Allocation Committee is adopting more neutral views.
Commodities and Responsible Investing: An Impossible Marriage?
A framework for thinking about commodities in a responsible investing context.
Don’t Give Up on China
The post-COVID reopening has disappointed, but has that disappointment and the prospect of new policy stimulus created a relative value opportunity?
How to Get the Most From Private Placement Debt
Private Placement Debt can offer fixed income investments enhanced diversification, risk-adjusted yield and downside mitigation. We anticipate growing recognition of the role it can play in a wide range of investor portfolios.
Tactics and Strategy
We tend to think about diversifying across asset classes, sectors and regions, but diversifying across investment timeframes can add value, too.
The Inside Track - Public and Private Markets Outlook; Episode 2: Commercial Real Estate
(9:15) In this short video experts from our public and private markets teams consider the outlook for commercial real estate.
Neuberger Berman Private Markets: Q1 2023 Preliminary Valuation Summary & Analysis
(7:38) Doug Manor, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman Private Markets, provides an overview of private equity markets and an outlook based on trends in the marketplace.
GP-Led Secondaries: Private Equity’s Most Underserved Market?
Current macroeconomic and capital market conditions appear to be creating attractive investment opportunities for secondary buyers.
"Investing at a Crossroads" Revisited
Nine months ago, we set out a playbook for the transition to the new investing environment—here’s why it still applies as the rates cycle peaks and inflation eases.
Finding the Silver Lining in Commercial Real Estate
(19:40) Given the market crises that have challenged real estate markets, is there a silver lining to be found in commercial real estate?
Private Equity Valuations Withstand the Volatility of 2022
We see valuation data from more than 400 funds each quarter, and it suggests the recovery from a relatively shallow downturn may be underway for buyout funds.
Resolving the Puzzle
To make sense of today’s market conundrum, remember that things could have been worse than they are, and that investors are more defensive than they appear.
Is the Consumer Cracking?
News from the consumer sector reveals intriguing trends, as well as the importance of credit and security selection in today’s complex market environment.
International Small Caps: Quality Plus Quantity
Screening for quality in international small caps is important, but what sort of “quality” should we look for, and can we find it without narrowing down our choice too much?
The Many Facets of Japanese Investing
(29:48) Given Japan’s unique macroeconomic backdrop, what can this market offer to its investors?
Private Markets in Volatile Times
Recent market turbulence provides yet another example of how private equity managers have improved their ability to weather volatile conditions.
A Tale of Two Indices
How an “optical illusion” might be making the S&P 500 look more expensive, and better-performing, than it really is.
The Case for Private Credit in Insurance Portfolios
An ever-expanding menu of private credit strategies can offer insurers the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns.
What ‘Data-Dependent’ Feels Like
As central banks become more “data-dependent,” will monetary policy become less predictable and markets potentially more volatile?
Trip Hazards
The U.S. debt ceiling is just one of a long list of obstacles waiting to trip up markets, and there is very little opportunity cost for remaining cautious.
Institutional Investor: America’s Top Asset Management Firms
Institutional Investor published their list of America’s top asset management firms, according to the companies owned by them. We are proud to announce that we were ranked within their top 10 list. See the full publication and details below:
The True Meaning of Sustainable Investing
(19:50) How can investors approach sustainable investing in today's investment landscape?
Proxy Voting: Engagement Matters
As we kick off our latest NB Votes campaign, we look at what detailed bottom-up knowledge brings to the process, and what can happen when it’s absent.
Paid to Be Patient
It may be time to plan the journey back to risk, but not yet time to act—peak rates could still be disruptive, and they pay investors for proceeding carefully.
Are Agency Mortgages a Home Run?
Why we think recent banking-sector stress has made already attractive U.S. mortgage securities even more keenly valued.
Insurance-Linked Strategies State of the Market 2023
(4:23) Peter Miller, Senior Vice President on the Insurance-Linked Strategies team, discusses the current dislocation in the Insurance-Linked Securities market and what this could mean for investors.
A Sharp Turn
Risk/reward for many fixed income sectors has been shifting.
SMAs are here to stay among Japanese LPs
Japanese institutions have continued to utilize separately managed accounts, or SMAs, to gain exposure to private equity.
A New ‘Impossible Trilemma’?
Can we lower government debt, sustain positive real rates and finance the transition to a low-carbon economy?
Economic and Market Review: Continue to Recommend Defensive Positioning, Focus on Quality
What happens when the lowest interest rates in 400 years meet the fastest hikes in 100?
As Credit Goes, So Goes the Economy
Credit is the lifeblood of the economy, and the credit system just had a heart murmur.
Private Credit: An All-Weather Asset Class
As private-credit markets continue to expand in size, choice and sophistication, we believe they should play an important role in well-diversified investment portfolios.
Neuberger Berman Private Markets: Q4 2022 Preliminary Valuation Summary & Analysis
(9:14) Doug Manor, Managing Director, Neuberger Berman Private Markets, provides an overview of private equity markets and an outlook based on trends in the marketplace.
Turning, Not Re-Turning
It makes sense to prepare for the turning point in this cycle—but not by returning to the winners from the last cycle.
The Deal or No Deal of Event-Driven Investing
(19:48) Exploring the nuances of event-driven investing in today’s markets, we attempt to answer: how do the deals get made? And what happens when they don’t?
The More Things Change, Part II
Banking stresses may have tightened conditions enough for policymakers to pause their hiking cycles indefinitely.
Simply Put(Writing)
PutWrite strategies can improve the risk-return efficiency, liquidity, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of investor portfolios.
Silicon Valley Bank: Market Reaction and Implications
In this bulletin, we provide our view of the events of the last week and their implications for the bank sector.
At the Crossroads, Seeking Direction
Faced with historically inverted yield curves, unbalanced equity markets and economic conditions unseen for 40 years, investors are agonizing over their next steps.
The Chatbot Phenomenon
(18:58) Could chatbots and artificial intelligence take over? Or simply change the way we work?
ESG: Making Sense of the Mudslinging
What ESG, sustainable investment and impact investment mean at Neuberger Berman, and how they are consistent with active management and the diverse needs of our clients.
Commodities: From Destocking to Restocking
The micro and macro factors weighing on commodities since last summer are starting to reverse—and secular tailwinds are building.
Natural Catastrophes in Today’s Climate
(18:40) Hurricane Ian was the most expensive weather disaster in 2022, how could the ILS asset class help mitigate these losses?
NASDAQ-100 Index Call Writing Overlays
Monetizing Low-Cost Basis Stock Positions while Preserving Long-Term Stock Alpha
Politics, Deficits and the Debt Limit
We firmly believe that Congress will ultimately raise the debt limit, but it’s worth remembering that political drama affects markets.
Merger Arbitrage Investing: When Deals Fall Through
Why we believe a recent failed acquisition is a reminder to think twice about systematic approaches to merger arbitrage.
Non-Investment Grade Defaults: Up From the Lows, but Contained
With defaults rising off of all-time lows, but likely remaining well below recession norms, we remain constructive on high yield and non-investment grade credit.
Equity Opportunities After Easy Money
Fourteen years of rock-bottom interest rates helped fuel a passive-indexing revolution. At Neuberger Berman, we believe we’ve entered a new economic regime that, in our view, calls for even more thoughtful and selective active management.
Funding the Future
(11:40) We explore how investors can use an “in it for the long haul” mindset.
Japanese Small Caps May Hop in the Year of the Rabbit
Despite their recent outperformance, we believe Japanese small caps have further room to run in 2023 and beyond. In this report, we highlight a few catalysts that could support earnings growth within this relatively under-researched asset class.
The More Things Change
Has recent strong data changed the fundamental economic and market outlook, or just the timeline?
NB Votes: The 2022 Proxy Season
In this challenging economic environment, we believe that quality corporate governance is crucial to creating shareholder value—and that active investment managers have a vital role to play on behalf of their clients.
Central Banks Tighten, Markets Loosen
While some pessimism has lifted from central bank messaging, we still think the market may be hearing only what it wants to hear.
Practical Implications of the New Regime
You’ve pinned down your economic and market outlook, but what does it imply for your investment strategy—and how much of that is realistic?
The Investors Have Left the Building
Is money rushing to exit from non-traded real estate because there is more attractive value in listed real estate?
Navigating Secondaries Amid Choppy Markets
(23:37) As we continue to provide insight into diversifiers across all asset classes, we explore how Private Equity Secondaries have evolved since 2020, and what could be ahead for the asset class.
A Delayed Reckoning
Equity markets had momentum coming into 2023, but has the economic data now become too bad for investors to ignore?
Economic and Market Review: Key Considerations For Equity Investors
After rising interest rates, persistent inflation and geopolitical turmoil pounded equity investors in 2022, we believe macroeconomic indicators offer equity investors little to cheer about in the first quarter of 2023.
A Peak That Persists
We think sticky services inflation paired with a moderate slowdown will enable central banks to maintain higher rates for longer.
From Policy Risk to Recession Risk
Markets have rallied, but the Asset Allocation Committee expects volatility to persist amidst slowing growth and uncertain paths for inflation and central bank policy.
Reducing Altitude
As inflation recedes, focus on quality and security selection.
The Portfolio Doctor Is In
(30:31) Now that a new year is upon us, we explore the tactics of seeking to craft attractive portfolios as we continue to see a path of volatility in 2023.
Macro Versus Micro
Top-down and bottom-up forecasts are increasingly diverging, and we think 2023 will be largely about how these divergences resolve themselves.
BBBs in the ‘Old Normal’
A key investment-grade sector retains its appeal, but selectivity may be important.
Outlook 2023
The leaders of our investment platforms welcome the New Year with their views for 2023.
Solving for 2023: How the Tables Have Turned
(41:20) As we conclude 2022, we turn the tables to evaluate what could lie ahead for markets in 2023.
Inside TaxM™: Realizing Capital Gains vs. Managing Tracking Error
When funding a TaxM™: portfolio, it’s critical for the investor to understand the tradeoff between realizing capital gains (and having a subsequent tax burden) and maintaining a particular tracking error to the selected benchmark.
You May Be Generating Tax Credits Without Realizing It
Actively managing equity portfolios for tax efficiency not only aims to maximizes tax credits—it may reveal tax credits you didn’t know you already had.
Ten for 2023—Midyear Update
We check in on the key themes we anticipated from the economy and markets in 2023.
Engine Running, Shifting to Neutral
In the face of conflicting signals from our short- and medium-term outlooks, our Asset Allocation Committee is adopting more neutral views.
The Case for Private Credit in Insurance Portfolios
An ever-expanding menu of private credit strategies can offer insurers the potential for attractive risk-adjusted returns.