Liquidity challenges are reshaping the private equity landscape, pushing investors to explore innovative solutions for managing their portfolios. With reduced exit activity, constrained distributions, and a tougher fundraising environment, how can secondaries provide a liquidity lifeline? And what role do GP-led transactions play in driving opportunities for both sponsors and investors? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Philipp Patschkowski, a Managing Direct...
Jul 01, 2025•17 min
Volatility and uncertainty are rewriting the rules of investing, challenging investors to think differently about managing risks and seizing opportunities. With heightened risks from rapidly evolving policies and concentrated market sectors, how can long/short strategies empower investors to navigate these dynamics? And what role does active management play in capturing opportunities and mitigating risks? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Marc Regenbaum , Man...
Jun 04, 2025•17 min
The Private Equity market continues to evolve as investors navigate economic uncertainty, limited liquidity, and trade policy shifts. With challenges from tariffs and moderating distributions, investors are seeking ways to manage risks while uncovering opportunities for growth. But how can private equity firms leverage their agility to capitalize on these dynamics? And what innovations are reshaping access to this asset class? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined b...
May 20, 2025•22 min
The credit market is transforming, and investors are looking ahead to seize the best opportunities in non-investment grade credit. With wider spreads, tariff-induced inflation, and moderating growth, opportunities in high-yield bonds, loans, and CLOs are reshaping fixed income strategies. But how can investors uncover value amid uncertainty? And what role does bottom-up research play in assessing risks and rewards? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Joseph Lyn...
May 07, 2025•18 min
As new administration policies send shock waves throughout the market, navigating the stormy sea has become the central challenge for investors. With rapid shifts in the economic environment and heightened uncertainty, diversification and resilience are more critical than ever. But what strategies can investors adopt to navigate turbulence? And how can tools like dynamic diversification help strengthen portfolios? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Robert Surg...
Apr 16, 2025•21 min
As individuals and businesses navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape, tax strategies have become more critical than ever. With evolving regulations, potential legislative changes, and the importance of optimizing for long-term planning, effective tax management is taking center stage. But what opportunities can investors look out for amid this volatility? And how can investors use tools like tax-loss harvesting and direct indexing to maximize their portfolios? On this episode of Di...
Apr 02, 2025•18 min
As markets grapple with changing macroeconomic dynamics, elevated valuations for growth stocks, and increased volatility, the spotlight could be turning toward value equities. Could this be the moment for US large-cap value investing to shine? How should investors think about diversification amidst the dominance of mega-cap growth names, and where are the most compelling opportunities in today’s market? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by David Levine , Associa...
Mar 18, 2025•21 min
As the world navigates the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, markets are adjusting to the implications of groundbreaking innovations on growth, competition, and investments. But how are market assumptions about AI shaping investor sentiment? What unique challenges and opportunities do these developments present for the semiconductor industry? And where can investors uncover growth opportunities beyond AI amidst this disruption? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakum...
Mar 05, 2025•28 min
As the world navigates evolving trade policies under a new administration, markets are adjusting to the implications of sweeping tariffs on growth, inflation, and investments. But how will these developments impact the Private Equity asset class? What unique viewpoint does Private Equity offer in this environment? And how can investors leverage these dynamics to uncover opportunities amidst disruption? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Ralph Eissler, CFA, Hea...
Feb 14, 2025•15 min
As the United States embarks on a new administration, markets eagerly prepare for what is to come regarding domestic policy, international policy, tariffs, and geopolitics. But how will the Fixed Income asset class move through these new pathways? What factors are at play regarding fiscal and monetary policy? And how can investors prepare for the year ahead? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Ashok Bhatia, CIO and Global Head of Fixed Income. Together, they di...
Jan 28, 2025•24 min
U.S. Small Cap equities are at a critical juncture. Not only has the valuation gap between Small and Large-Cap stocks grown exceptionally wide by historical measures, but numerous Small-Cap macro tailwinds also appear to be gathering force. So, why is active management crucial for navigating this segment? How are reshoring and deglobalization trends influencing these companies, and what does the year ahead have in store for Small Caps? In this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar is...
Jan 07, 2025•12 min
Looking for insights on the key themes poised to shape the financial markets in the coming year? Hear from Anu Rajakumar , Erik Knutzen , Co-Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset, and Shannon Saccocia , Chief Investment Officer of Private Wealth, as they discuss pivotal macroeconomic and capital markets observations from our annual outlook, “Solving for 2025”, where they evaluate the forces that may shape portfolios in the coming year. This communication is provided for informational and educa...
Dec 17, 2024•27 min
President-Elect Donald Trump will take office on January 20, 2025, after a whirlwind election season. But how could this term differ from his first? How will Trump’s cabinet be shaped, and what directions could this take the markets? On this episode of Disruptive Forces, host Anu Rajakumar welcomes Brad Tank, Co-Chief Investment Officer, and the Global Head of Fixed Income to explore the anticipated differences, potential impacts and policy directions of Trump and his cabinet. Note: This is a de...
Nov 14, 2024•26 min
Despite the challenges of a tough fundraising environment and fluctuating interest rates, private real estate is gaining traction as an attractive investment option amid economic uncertainties. But what makes private real estate a viable option? How does it help to hedge against inflation, and where do some of the unique opportunities lie? On this episode, host Anu Rajakumar welcomes Justin Hakimian, Managing Director and Investment Committee member on the Neuberger Berman's Almanac Private Real...
Nov 06, 2024•18 min
In an ever-evolving financial landscape, Private Debt has emerged as a resilient and adaptable asset class, capturing the interest of investors seeking stability and growth. Despite negative media coverage, what makes this asset class appealing to investors? What are the implications of lower interest rates on Private Debt? And how does it fit into today’s overall investment climate? On this episode, host Anu Rajakumar welcomes Parrish Smith, Vice President at Neuberger Berman and a member of th...
Oct 09, 2024•22 min
With the rate tightening cycle largely behind us and discussions now shifting towards potential rate cuts, the time seems right to discuss Real Estate Investment Trusts. Despite REITs being perceived as bond proxies, they have the potential to offer stable and growing revenue streams from tangible assets like apartments, shops, data centers, and towers. But what is the correlation between REITs and rates in today’s environment? And how can investors seek to benefit? On this episode of Disruptive...
Sep 25, 2024•22 min
Options, a seemingly daunting investment category, has been around for quite some time. Dating back to Ancient Greece, many investors have used Options as a way to mitigate risk. But how has Options trading evolved in recent years? What are the impacts of the upcoming Fed meeting and the U.S elections on this asset class? How can investors become more comfortable navigating this volatile vehicle? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar welcomes back Derek Devens, Senior Portfol...
Sep 10, 2024•22 min
Financial markets across Asia have been making headlines in recent weeks. Ahead of the upcoming earnings calls for tech players such as Nvidia, we ask, what are the impacts of the Asia market on the US market? How are companies like Nvidia impacting Taiwan supply chains and global tech companies broadly? On this episode of Disruptive Force s , host Anu Rajakumar is joined by Eileen Furukawa , Portfolio Manager on the Emerging Market Equity team, focusing on Technology and Internet sectors to cha...
Aug 20, 2024•17 min
With the election season well underway, the nation finds itself at the crossroads of significant political and potential economic uncertainty. How will each candidate impact the economy, specifically equity markets? And what can investors do to prepare? Join us on this episode of Disruptive Forces , where host Anu Rajakumar sits with Raheel Siddiqui , Senior Investment Strategist, and Timothy Creedon , Director of Equity Research, to discuss how close elections have evolved historically and othe...
Aug 06, 2024•20 min
In the wake of past banking volatility and high-stake crises like the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, regulatory scrutiny has continued to increase across the financial sector with proposals such as Basel III Endgame. The industry will need to adjust to the new disruptive forces at play. But what opportunities lie within the banking sector that could interest investors? And what are the risks posed to investors in this space? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar sits with I...
Jul 09, 2024•18 min
In 2008, the housing market crash sent shockwaves through the financial industry and the world at large. However, a handful of investors saw the warning signs and began sounding the alarms long before the financial debacle unfolded. Their stories were captured in the New York Times bestselling book, The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine , and its award-winning film adaptation, The Big Short . Featuring stars like Brad Pitt and Steve Carell, the film brought these investors' experiences to l...
Jun 25, 2024•21 min
M&A financing continues to translate into supply opportunities in the investment grade market. With companies like Home Depot and Johnson & Johnson recently announcing multi-billion-dollar acquisition deals, we believe there is a $100 billion pipeline of announced deals over the course of 2024. However, the consumer retail space has simultaneously begun to slow down. With tight spreads and an election year underway, how has the consumer retail space been impacted by current economic cond...
Jun 04, 2024•23 min
In the last year, we saw Japanese equities led by Nikkei 225 and TOPIX gaining more than 30%. All while, the Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years in March. With this active economic backdrop, what lies ahead for the Japanese market? How do geopolitical dynamics influence Japan? What should investors keep in mind when investing in this economy? On this episode of Disruptive Forces , host Anu Rajakumar invites back Kei Okamura, Portfolio Manager on the Japanese Equiti...
May 21, 2024•19 min
As April marks Financial Literacy month, we recognize that budding investors are facing a backdrop of economic uncertainties and the ever-growing complexities of financial markets. With a staggering 78% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck and a significant portion of the population unable to cover unexpected expenses, understanding the basics of money management is essential for making informed decisions. But what are some steps our industry can take to help consumers be more financially li...
Apr 30, 2024•30 min
As you may have seen in the headlines, the airline sector has seen quite their fair share of volatility recently. Since the start of COVID shutting down air travel to then returning back to pre-pandemic levels and then exceeding those levels, the airline sector has been receiving its own fair share of market turbulence. But as the aerospace market continuing to grow on a global basis, with more interest in commercial travel than ever seen before, airlines are needing more lift for takeoff. And w...
Apr 23, 2024•18 min
Given the economic uncertainties that unfolded from the COVID-19 pandemic and lead to rising inflation rates, investors held onto cash as their main arsenal. However, with central banks signaling interest rate cuts, now might be the time to move cash off the sidelines. Anchored in insights from our Make Your Money Move campaign, we will explore questions like: why cash rates have been so attractive? What opportunities exist now? Are there risks investors should be mindful of? On this episode of ...
Apr 09, 2024•16 min
As we mark the annual observance of International Women's Day this March, we highlight the contributions and milestones of women in society all month long. In honor of this celebration, we invited an esteemed female Chief Investment Officer to highlight a core investment topic some people tend to misunderstand: retirement savings. How has retirement planning evolved over the years? How have demographics been impacted by this change? And what are some steps corporations can take to generate more ...
Mar 26, 2024•27 min
In the rapidly evolving world of alternative credit, Specialty Finance strategies can offer access to high-quality deals, backed with strong partnerships, for investors seeking to generate current income via short-duration transactions. With geographical positioning and technological advancements to consider, what is so special about this sector? How have innovations like fintech impacted traditional banking and lending practices? What obstacles are presented for investors? On this episode of Di...
Mar 12, 2024•20 min
With liquidity needs continuing to be on the rise, many sophisticated investors look to the secondaries market for solutions. However, with the lower valuations in Real Estate, there may be opportunities in the Real Estate Secondaries space that might not be on the radar as a result of skepticism in the market. But where is that skepticism coming from? Could the opportunities lie in GP-Led secondary transactions more so than LP-led? And what kind of insight can fundamental analysis provide to un...
Feb 27, 2024•16 min
The recent buzz around private credit has captured the attention of investors worldwide. It has also demonstrated remarkable resilience amid economic uncertainties. So what opportunities does it present for both institutional and retail investors today? How has private credit disrupted traditional lending? And how could a potential recession affect how investors could capitalize on this asset class? On this episode of Disruptive Forces, Anu Rajakumar welcomes Nikhil Krishnan, Managing Director o...
Jan 30, 2024•15 min
