Fidelity's Investment Outlook for 2012

Fidelity's expectation is that 2012 will offer more of the same as 2011, with significant ups and downs driven by three major factors: Europe, China, and the U.S. economy. Please click here for their outlook.   

Six Observations for February

Click here for MFS' James Swanson's Strategist Corner

BlackRock's Weekly Investment Commentary

Please click here to view BlackRock's investment commentary for the week beginning January 30, 2012.

Senior Loans -- Still Attractive?

Historically, investors have sought senior loans as hedges against rising interest rates, a benefit these investments have provided through their floating base rates and ultrashort durations. With the Federal Reserve holding the federal funds rate near zero and promising to keep it there until 2013, however, investors may be wondering whether floating-rate senior loans still offer attractive benefits. Click here to read this interesting article from ING.

Innovest's Upcoming Quarterly Webinars

Innovest is pleased to announce the schedule for our upcoming quarterly webinars:

• April 12, 2012
• July 12, 2012
• October 11, 2012
• January 10, 2013 

All sessions are held from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Mountain Time. To sign up for a webinar or the entire series, contact Gina Champ at gchamp@innovestinc.com or call 303-694-1900, x322.

Note: Invitations will be sent prior to each event.  

Credit Update on the Higher Education Sector

Colleges and universities operate in a highly competitive business environment and do not enjoy a sole franchise for students in a geographic region or academic field. They compete against one another for student enrollment. The successful ones are those that have established either a solid financial or academic advantage, or both.     

For 2012, Miller Tabak Asset Management (MTAM) maintains a mixed credit outlook for the U.S. not-for-profit private and public higher education sector. MTAM has a stable outlook for the colleges and universities with strong market positions and balance sheets, and multiple revenue-generating business lines. Student demand, the driving force for the sector in general, remains strong for large, diversified, and highly rated colleges and universities. A negative outlook is assigned for the colleges and universities that are far more dependent on state appropriations, student tuition, or both. These institutions attract students more regionally, retain less pricing power, and maintain thinner balance sheets.                                                                                                                               

Click here to read the rest of this interesting white paper on the Credit Update on the Higher Education Sector from Miller Tabak's Michael Pietronico.   

BlackRock's Weekly Investment Commentary

Please click here to view BlackRock's investment commentary for the week beginning January 23, 2012.

Siegel's Outlook for 2012

Wharton Professor Jeremy Siegel believes that 2012 is starting out with stocks even more attractively priced than in early 2011.  Click here for his views on the European financial crisis, U.S. housing, economic growth, and investment opportunities.  

A Break in the Clouds for Stocks

Michael Reilly, Chief Investment Officer and Director of U.S. Equity Research at TCW, analyzes what’s right with U.S. equities and how the eventual return to a “risk on” market will benefit strong companies. 

Please click here to view his report. 

ING's Look at 2012

ING's case for 2012 is for modest economic growth in the face of a risky global environment. They believe that the U.S. should avoid recession and post moderate growth; consumer exuberance likely will be tempered by continued household balance sheet repair as well as sluggish housing and jobs markets, though recent signs of life in these measures suggest we may be underestimating the U.S. economy. Europe, of course, remains a wildcard.

Click here for ING's outlook for 2012.