Lazard Insights Conference Calls are an ongoing series of monthly conference calls discussing timely issues in today’s market. The calls are not specific to any Lazard products or services; rather, they are designed to share value-added insights from Lazard’s thought leaders around the world.
A Q&A session will follow each of the presentations. In addition to taking questions from the live audience, we will accept questions by email at InsightsCalls@Lazard.com before or during each call. Please limit your questions to the topics of the call.
The Lazard Insights Conference Calls series is now also available as a podcast in iTunes, allowing you to download and listen to timely insights from Lazard’s investment leaders whenever and wherever you choose. To subscribe to the podcast, click the button below.
Demystifying the Investment Landscape in Latin America
Replay Dial In (available 2 hours after the live call):
U.S./Canada: 888-203-1112
International: 719-457-0820
Replay Passcode: 8443413
We believe Latin American economies possess strong economic, fiscal, and demographic fundamentals and are well-positioned for economic growth. Most Latin American nations also have more transparent and operationally efficient capital markets, when contrasted with others in the developing world. Please join Thomas Boyle, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's Latin American Equity team, as he evaluates the current macroeconomic backdrop for the region, shares his insights on the growing investment opportunity set, and discusses potential implications for investors.
Featured Speaker:
Thomas C. Boyle
Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Thomas Boyle is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the Emerging Markets Core Equity and Latin American Equity teams, focusing primarily on emerging markets investments within Latin America. He started working in the investment field in 1997. Prior to joining Lazard in 2011, Thomas spent 11 years with Deutsche Asset Management providing expertise in the areas of bottom-up research, portfolio construction and client service for their Emerging Markets and Latin America Equity institutional and retail strategies. Thomas has a Masters in Finance from Brandeis University and a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Understanding the Risks of Investing for Income
Thursday, 19 April 2012 4:00 PM ET
In the early 1980s, the Federal Funds target rate was approximately 20% and, for the next 20 years, 10-year U.S. Treasury yields were rarely below 6%. During this time, income-seeking strategies were supported by strong growth, little impairment, and a high level of liquidity. Today, with the Federal Funds target rate between 0% and 0.25%, income-oriented investors are forced to take more risk in order to meet desired income targets. Please join Christopher Komosa, Portfolio Manager on Lazard's asset allocation strategies team, as he discusses the origins, evolution, and trade-offs of investing for income, and the implications that these factors have on portfolio construction.
Featured Speaker:
Christopher Komosa, CFA
Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Christopher Komosa is a Senior Vice President of Lazard Asset Management LLC. He is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the Lazard Capital Allocator Series ("LCAS") team and is a member of the LCAS Advisory Board. LCAS is a global tactical asset allocation investment strategy. Chris began working in the investment field in 1986. Prior to joining Lazard in 2006, Chris held positions as a portfolio manager at Permal Asset Management and Pinnacle International Management. Previously he was a hedge fund manager/analyst at Caxton Associates and Graham Capital. Chris has an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a BA in Economics from Washington and Lee University .
U.S. Healthcare Reform: Drivers, Economics, and the Supreme Court
Wednesday, 21 March 2012 4:00 PM ET
In late March, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding the constitutionality of the recently passed healthcare legislation. In this call, we discuss our views on why healthcare reform was enacted, the economics surrounding the sector, and what impact the Supreme Court ruling may have for investors. Please join Lazard's principal healthcare industry specialists, Ross Seiden, Vice President, Research Analyst and Rhett Brown, Director, Research Analyst, as they look beyond the headlines and provide insight around healthcare reform and its implications for long-term investing.
Featured Speakers:
H. Ross Seiden
Vice President, Research Analyst
Ross Seiden is a Vice President and Research Analyst on the healthcare sector team. He began working in the investment field in 2006. Prior to joining Lazard in 2010, Ross was with Credit Suisse where he started as an Equity Research Analyst and later became an Equity Research Associate covering multinational banks and capital markets firms. Ross has a BBA in Finance and Accounting from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 86, and 87 licenses.
Rhett E. Brown, CFA
Director, Research Analyst
Rhett Brown is a Director and Research Analyst on the healthcare sector team. He began working in the investment field in 1996. Prior to joining Lazard in 2005, he was an Assistant Vice President in Equity Research at Deutsche Bank Securities and an Equity Research Associate at Volpe Brown Whelan & Company. Previously, Rhett was an Account Representative at Amersham Life Science, a Marketing Specialist in the Applied Biosystems Division of Perkin Elmer and a Research Assistant at Immulogic Pharmaceutical Corporation. Rhett has an MBA (Hons) in Finance from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a BS (Hons) in Biological Sciences from Stanford University. He is a member of the Security Analysts of San Francisco.
Commercial real estate has historically outperformed many other sectors of the market, supported by its tax structure and the regulatory and interest rate environment. But how long will this outperformance last and where are the opportunities? Please join Jay Leupp, a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard’s Global Real Estate Securities team, who has more than 20 years of commercial real estate experience, as he provides his outlook for the sector, identifies primary drivers of growth, and offers insight into why commercial real estate appears well-positioned for 2012.
Featured Speaker:
Jay P. Leupp
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Jay Leupp is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard’s Global Real Estate Securities team. He began working in the investment field in 1994. Prior to joining Lazard in 2011, Jay was the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Grubb & Ellis Alesco Global Advisors and served as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Jay founded Alesco in 2006 and had been its President and CEO since its inception. Prior to founding Alesco, he served as Managing Director of Real Estate Equity Research at RBC Capital Markets. Previously, Jay served as Managing Director of Real Estate Equity Research at Robertson Stephens. Jay holds an MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University. Jay is a member of the board of directors of Chaminade College Preparatory, Los Angeles, G.W. Williams Company and United American Bank. He is also a member of the Santa Clara University board of regents and policy board of the Fisher Center for Real Estate at the University of California, Berkeley.
A Broader Context for Understanding Bubbles, Crises, and Panic
Since 1997, investors have experienced a series of bubbles, crises, and panic, which have caused market volatility and unintended consequences as capital has shifted rapidly between perceived risk and perceived safety. We believe that opportunities exist for those investors who can draw from history and challenge conventional wisdom amid today's market environment. Please join David Cleary, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst, and an experienced global asset allocation professional, as he provides his perspective on the macroeconomic environment for 2012 and where he sees opportunity beyond the bubbles.
Featured Speaker:
David Cleary
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
David Cleary is a Managing Director of Lazard Asset Management LLC. David provides oversight and management to Lazard's U.S.-based fixed income and asset allocation platform. Additionally he is directly responsible for the management of the Lazard Capital Allocator Series ("LCAS"). LCAS is a global tactical asset allocation investment strategy. David works on asset allocation modeling and total portfolio risk management and is a member of the LCAS Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Lazard Investment Council. Previously, he spent nine years as a senior fixed income portfolio manager at Lazard with a focus on risk control, sector allocation and total portfolio management. David began working in the investment field in 1987. Prior to joining Lazard in 1994, David worked as a portfolio manager with Union Bank of Switzerland and an assistant treasurer with IBJ Schroeder, both primarily in fixed income asset management. He has a BS from Cornell University.
Opportunity, Austerity, Growth and Inflation:The Road Ahead
2011 was a year largely marked by macro uncertainty. As we look ahead to 2012, we believe that much of this uncertainty will continue, as developed markets remain largely focused on balancing austerity measures with the need for growth. However, emerging markets appear to be at a turning point with regard to inflation. Against this backdrop, we believe fundamental research and security selection will be pivotal for investors in the new year. Please join Ron Temple, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on several of Lazard's U.S. and global equity strategies as he provides context for debt sustainability, and reviews the issues facing Europe, the United States, and the emerging markets. He will also discuss the potential implications for investors going forward.
Featured Speaker:
Ronald Temple
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Ronald Temple is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on our large cap U.S. equity teams, as well as the Global Equity Select team. He is also Co-Director of Research and has primary research coverage of the financials sector. Ron is a leading authority on the ongoing financial crisis. He joined Lazard in 2001 with ten years of global experience including fixed income derivative trading, risk management, corporate finance and corporate strategy in roles at Deutsche Bank AG, Bank of America NT & SA and Fleet Financial Group in London, New York, Singapore, San Francisco and Boston. Ron has an MPP from Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Economics & Public Policy from Duke University. Ron serves as a trustee of the Link Community School in Newark, New Jersey and is a member of the Trinity Board of Visitors at Duke University.
Given the current low growth expectations for global capital markets, companies are being challenged to find ways to sustainably grow their business and enterprise value. There are many levers available for companies to do so, but we believe that some are more sustainable and better indicators of future success. Join Chris Blake, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard’s U.S. Equity Platform, as he explores the interplay among the P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, explains how earnings can be driven by these and other factors, and discusses which elements we believe investors may want to focus on to identify the eventual winners.
Featured Speaker:
Christopher Blake
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Christopher Blake is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the U.S. Strategic Equity (including the North American Equity Fund, the brand name of the U.S. Strategic Equity offshore fund), U.S. Equity Concentrated and U.S. Mid Cap Equity portfolio teams. He began working in the investment field in 1995 as a Lazard Research Analyst. He has a BSBA in Finance from the University of Denver.
Many emerging market currencies have experienced a dramatic sell-off in recent weeks driven by developed market sovereign debt crises as well as fears of a global economic slowdown. Given this global macro backdrop and market fear and uncertainty, is it time to reassess the fundamental outlook for emerging markets?
Please join Ardra Belitz, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's Emerging Income team, as she discusses the role policymakers, market sentiment, and fundamentals play in emerging market currency markets and how this may present an opportunity for investors.
Featured Speaker:
Ardra Belitz
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Ardra Belitz is a Managing Director of Lazard Asset Management LLC and a Portfolio Manager/Analyst specializing in emerging markets currency and debt. She has been a member of the Emerging Income management team since 1998. Ardra began working in the investment industry in 1994. Prior to joining Lazard in 1996, she worked at Bankers Trust Company. Ardra has her BA in Economics from Brandeis University, from which she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.
Amid all of the recent market volatility, many key data points that have historically been reliable indicators of economic direction are currently pointing to very different outcomes, ranging from inflation, a slow recovery, a soft patch, or a deep recession. This extremely conflicting data has left many investors wondering which indicators are correct and which way markets are heading.
Please join Joe Ramos, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the U.S. Fixed Income platform, for his thoughts on how investors should interpret these contradictory signals and a discussion on investing within and amid such uncertainty.
Featured Speaker: Joe Ramos
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Joe Ramos is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the U.S. Fixed Income team. He began working in the investment industry in 1978. Prior to joining Lazard in 2006, Joe was the Chief Investment Officer of Ambac Financial Group, Inc., where he was responsible for the oversight and management of Ambac's investment strategies. Previously, Joe was a member at E.H. Capital Group, LLC, a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at Lazard Asset Management, a First Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at Lehman Management Co., and a Senior Analyst in the Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb Fixed Income Research Department. He has a BS from New York University.
Low Volatility Equity Investing: Evolutionary not Revolutionary
Traditional asset allocation models are being re-evaluated as investors look for a more dynamic approach against the uncertain economic and geopolitical backdrop and ongoing volatility in equity markets. The world is grappling with an era of deleveraging, the spectacular growth of the developing world, and challenges to political and financial institutions at a global, regional, and domestic level.
Please join Craig Scholl, CFA, Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's Quantitative Equity team as he discusses how low volatility equities could form one part of a credible solution.
Featured Speaker: Craig Scholl, CFA
Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Craig Scholl is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's Quantitative Equity team. He began working in the investment field in 1984. Prior to joining Lazard in 2007, Craig was a Principal and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Global Active Equity group at State Street Global Advisors (SSgA). Previously he was Managing Director of Public Equities for the Virginia Retirement System, where he was responsible for internally and externally managed portfolios. Prior to that, Craig was a pension investment manager for two large corporations. He also worked as a consultant with InterSec Research and a vice president in data analytics at Lynch, Jones & Ryan. Craig has a BS in Finance and Public Communications from Syracuse University. He is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society.
Half Time Report: Understanding the Oscillating Waves of Fear and Greed
Global capital markets continue to be volatile in reaction to economic events that are causing markets to radically shift between risk-on and risk-off assets. With much uncertainty around sovereign debt crises, global growth expectations, emerging market inflation, and other important issues, we believe that much of the opportunity for investors can be found within the wide dispersion that is occurring around major market indices. Please join David Cleary, CFA, Portfolio Manager/Analyst, as he addresses these major themes and how tactical investing in this rapidly changing market environment can be advantageous if investors can identify the true beneficiaries of the next wave in the market.
Featured Speaker: David Cleary, CFA
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst David Cleary is a Managing Director of Lazard Asset Management LLC. David provides oversight and management to Lazard’s U.S.-based fixed income and asset allocation platform. Additionally he is directly responsible for the management of the Lazard Capital Allocator Series (“LCAS”). LCAS is a global tactical asset allocation investment strategy. David works on asset allocation modeling and total portfolio risk management and is a member of the LCAS Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Lazard Investment Council. Previously, he spent nine years as a senior fixed income portfolio manager at Lazard with a focus on risk control, sector allocation and total portfolio management. David began working in the investment field in 1987. Prior to joining Lazard in 1994, David worked as a portfolio manager with Union Bank of Switzerland and an assistant treasurer with IBJ Schroeder, both primarily in fixed income asset management. He has a BS from Cornell University.
The Invisible Han of the Market: Ten Perspectives on China
China's economic transformation has been an engine of growth for the global economy. Many investors want to participate, but others consider China's socio-economic model unsustainable. Please join Kevin Matthews, CFA, Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's International Equity Select team as he discusses his observations from his recent trip to China.
Featured Speaker: Kevin J. Matthews, CFA
Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst Kevin Matthews is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the International Equity Select team. Prior to joining the International Equity Select team, he was a Research Analyst with a background in financials, automotive, aerospace, and capital goods sectors. He began working in the investment field in 2001 when he joined Lazard. Kevin has a BA in Politics and Philosophy from St. Chad’s College, Durham University.
Breaking Down Global Barriers: Benefits and Challenges of Investing in the Broadest Opportunity Set
We believe unconstrained global equity portfolios offer many advantages over the traditional regional approach, most importantly higher levels of alpha, as the broad opportunity set enables one to maximize the potential of stock selection. Therefore, carving out space for a global equity allocation and removing benchmark-imposed constraints on portfolio managers may allow them to enhance returns. Please join Patrick Ryan, CFA, Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's global equity teams as he addresses how to maximize the potential benefits of unconstrained global portfolios.
Featured Speaker: Patrick Ryan, CFA
Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Patrick Ryan is a Director of Lazard Asset Management and a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the Global Equity Income and various other global equity teams. Prior to joining Lazard in February 1994, Pat was an equity analyst with Hutson Management. He began working in the investment industry in 1989. Pat has a BS in Industrial Engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science and is a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA).
Adjusting to the New Landscape of the Municipal Market
Since the collapse of the monoline insurance companies during the financial crisis, the municipal securities market has undergone a structural adjustment, as lenders and borrowers have had to re-evaluate previous assumptions about this marketplace. Additionally, the municipal market has been quite volatile as we have now seen 22 consecutive weeks of net outflows. John Senesac, Portfolio Manager/Analyst, will discuss the current landscape of the municipal bond market including current volatility, fund flows, and how headline news provide an opportunity for investors to potentially capitalize on the sound issuers in the market.
Featured Speaker: John R. Senesac Jr., CFA
Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
John Senesac is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the U.S. Fixed Income team. John primarily focuses on investment opportunities in the U.S. Tax-Exempt, Government and Credit markets. He began working in the investment field in 1992. Prior to joining Lazard in 2000, John was associated with Alliance Capital/Regent Investor Services and Trenwick America Reinsurance Corporation. John has a BS degree from Central Connecticut State University and an AAS from Briarwood College.
The global investment landscape continues to evolve as we move beyond the financial crises and witness the emergence of developing economies. Please join Nicholas Bratt, Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst as he addresses why we believe this may be an inflection point for investors for the decades ahead. Topics will include: debt overhang, globalization, the growing importance of emerging markets, the changing economic and geopolitical landscape, and why we believe it is truly different this time.
Featured Speaker: Nicholas Bratt
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Nicholas Bratt is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the Global Thematic Equity team. He began working in the investment field in 1973. Prior to joining Lazard in 2003, Nick was a Director of Global Products, Head of International Portfolio Management, Head of the Global Equity Group and Global Chief Investment Officer with Scudder/Deutsche Asset Management. He has an MIA from Columbia University (Fulbright scholarship) and a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from St. John’s College, Oxford University. Nick is a Director of the Korea Society and an Advisory Director of La Maison Française, as well as a member of Council on Foreign Relations.
Emerging Markets Debt: A Strategic or Tactical Asset Class?
The emerging markets continue to garner headlines as investors increasingly recognize the potential long-term growth trends of the asset class. Additionally, as many of these markets continue to develop, they often represent very different structures and opportunities compared to developed markets.
Please join Arif Joshi, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard's Emerging Market Debt strategies, for his thoughts on how the strengthening and differentiated fundamentals of emerging debt markets create opportunities for investors, and why this may be a long-term secular development as opposed to a short-term tactical opportunity.
Featured Speaker: Arif T. Joshi, CFA
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
Arif Joshi is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard’s Emerging Markets Debt team. He began working in the investment field in 1998. Prior to joining Lazard in 2010, Arif was with HSBC Asset Management (formerly Halbis) where he served as Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager. At HSBC, Arif was responsible for global emerging markets, focusing on corporate and sovereign credit analysis, risk management and quantitative modeling. He began this role at The Atlantic Advisors LLC (acquired by HSBC in 2005). Prior to HSBC, he was an associate at Strategic Management Group where he advised Fortune 500 companies on finance and corporate strategy. Arif has an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Kick-off Report: Engaging Risks and Finding Opportunities in 2011
Last year proved to be a good one for investors, and bullish sentiment has grown as we enter the 2011. A wide range of variables and risks do remain: QE2, European government bond risk, changing policy dynamics, inflation, and other variables will shape our thinking and the market environment into the coming year. Please join David Cleary, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager/Analyst, for his thoughts on how these issues will impact the global markets throughout the year and a discussion on the potential investment opportunities they create.
Featured Speaker: David Cleary, CFA
Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst
David Cleary is a Managing Director of Lazard Asset Management LLC. David provides oversight and management to Lazard’s U.S.-based fixed income and asset allocation platform. Additionally he is directly responsible for the management of the Lazard Capital Allocator Series (“LCAS”). LCAS is a global tactical asset allocation investment product. David works on asset allocation modeling and total portfolio risk management. He also sits on the Lazard Investment Council. Previously, he spent nine years as a Fixed Income Senior Portfolio Manager at Lazard with a focus on risk control, sector allocation and total portfolio management. David began working in the investment field in 1987. Prior to joining Lazard in 1994, David worked as a Portfolio Manager with Union Bank of Switzerland and an Assistant Treasurer with IBJ Schroeder, both primarily in fixed income asset management. He has a BS from Cornell University. David is a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA).
How Stable are Consumer Staples?
Assessing the Impact of Inflation, Slowing Consumer Spending and Today's Global Economy (March) Download the presentation PDF Play audio
The information and opinions presented does not constitute investment advice and has been obtained or derived from sources believed by Lazard to be reliable. Lazard makes no representation as to their accuracy or completeness. All opinions expressed herein are as of the date of each presentation and are subject to change. The securities and/or information referenced should not be considered a recommendation or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities. It should not be assumed that any of the referenced securities were or will prove to be profitable, or that the investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable or equal to the investment performance of securities referenced herein.
