Lost in a Bull Market: Rethinking Asset Allocation with Smart Beta – Legg Mason – 3.1.18

Summary:

Now On Demand.

Given the expansionary bull market which has characterized the last decade, investors have grown complacent with an over-allocation to U.S. equities. However, recent market volatility gives cause for investors to rethink their portfolio construction to reduce risk while maintaining returns in a low growth environment. The webcast will explore how employing a low volatility solution can help generate returns on the upside while managing risk on the downside.

• What keeps us up all night:
  • Longevity: Social Security is not enough
  • Narrowing market as we approach the later stages of the economic cycle
  • Complacency and low growth environment
• What can I do about it?
• Why is our low volatility high dividend strategy different?

Speakers:

Michael LaBella is a portfolio manager and strategist at QS Investors. He focuses on investment and product strategy for the equity platform, and is a member of the investment oversight committee. He was recognized in 2017 as a rising star under 35 in asset management by Business Insider. LaBella formerly worked at Deutsche Bank as a portfolio manager for the Quantitative Strategies group, and as an institutional sales trader in its Corporate and Investment Bank. He received his B.S. in financial economics from Binghamton University and holds a CFA designation.

Adam is responsible for product development and integration across strategies and asset classes for QS Investors. Prior to working at QS Investors, Adam served as Chief Investment Officer at Batterymarch Financial Management from 2012 to 2014. He also served as Deputy Chief Investment Officer and co-head of the Developed Markets investment team from 2010 to 2012, Senior Director and Global Investment Strategist on the Developed Markets team from 2008 to 2010. Prior to joining Batterymarch, he spent eight years at Legg Mason Canada Inc. and held multiple positions as Chief Investment officer, head of the Quantitative Management team and Quantitative Strategist. He also performed quantitative equity analysis at Scotia Capital Markets. Adam attended University of Waterloo earning a BS in Computer Engineering and a MS in Electrical Engineering.

Tim Gilligan joined Legg Mason in the fall of 2015 as an ETF Product Specialist for new ventures. Before joining Legg Mason, Tim worked with Betterment Institutional, where he was involved in the robo-advisor movement by helping with the start-up efforts for the firm. In this capacity, he assisted financial advisors with the integration of digital technology into their practice and participated in panel discussions and speaking engagements on this growing movement. Prior to his work at Betterment, Tim spent nearly 16 years at The Vanguard Group, holding various roles across the organization. He spent meaningful time as an external Sales Executive in the RIA space, consulting with financial advisors across the country on ETFs, capital markets, investment strategy and portfolio construction. Also while at Vanguard, Tim was a Product Specialist and keynote speaker who frequently presented about the markets and the economy.

Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from Drexel University. He continued his education by becoming a CFA® charterholder.