The Outthinking Investor

Cities have faced a host of challenges over the course of history, such as affordable housing, transportation, public safety and economic opportunities. In today’s rapidly changing global economy, these challenges are becoming increasingly complex, with cities needing to adapt to technological advancements, climate risks, and fluctuating fiscal policies. The most successful cities are dynamic and adapt to changing circumstances. Consider Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a prime example. Once known for its manufacturing might, Pittsburgh had to reinvent itself after the collapse of the steel industry in the 1980s. The Steel City successfully mounted a turnaround by becoming an innovation hub, thanks to a strong academic presence and low cost of living that attracted technology and healthcare employers. What lessons can cities draw from urban transformations of the past?  This episode of The Outthinking Investor explores the role investors will play in solving many of the challenges that cities face. With opportunities emerging across real estate, infrastructure, technology and more, institutional investors are already providing much of the capital needed to fund urban development. Edward Glaeser, economics professor at Harvard University and co-author of “Survival of the City: Living and Thriving in an Age of Isolation”; Jeff Speck, partner at the urban planning and design firm Speck Dempsey; and Cathy Marcus, Co-CEO and Global COO of PGIM Real Estate, discuss the evolution of cities, the challenges they must overcome, and emerging opportunities for investors.  To hear more from PGIM, tune into our new podcast, Speaking of Alternatives, hosted by Eric Adler, President and CEO of PGIM Private Alternatives. Speaking of Alternatives is available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and other podcast platforms. Explore our entire collection of podcasts at PGIM.com. 

In the middle of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt spearheaded the creation of Social Security, forever changing the US retirement system and how Americans think about long-term savings. Only a few pensions existed at the time, and Social Security was the first government-backed program to provide for the basic welfare of all seniors. The retirement landscape in the US—and around the world—has no doubt undergone massive change since the days of FDR. DC plans have significantly improved the retirement outlook, and an estimated 54.3% of American families now participate in some form of retirement plan such as a 401(k) or IRA, according to a 2022 survey by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, seniors still rely on Social Security payments, yet the Congressional Budget Office has forecast that Social Security’s Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2033. Building retirement security for generations to come will require not only a solution to the Social Security funding crisis, but continued support for the broader retirement savings system. How can policymakers address Social Security’s challenges without weakening private retirement savings? In this episode, The Outthinking Investor speaks to three experts about retirement readiness, how governments and employers alike help workers save for retirement, and policy prescriptions for the challenges that lie ahead. Our guests are Dennis Simmons, Executive Director of the Committee on Investment of Employee Benefits Assets (CIEBA); Andrew Biggs, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration; and Mike Miller, Head of PGIM DC Solutions. To cultivate rich conversations around complex investment topics, The Outthinking Investor features speakers with diverse points of view. Participating on the podcast does not imply endorsement of other speaker's opinions, nor does PGIM necessarily endorse the opinions of its external guests. To hear more from PGIM, tune into our new podcast, Speaking of Alternatives, hosted by Eric Adler, President and CEO of PGIM Private Alternatives. Speaking of Alternatives is available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and other podcast platforms. Explore our entire collection of podcasts at PGIM.com.  

Harry Markowitz, the legendary economist and father of modern portfolio theory, has been credited with saying that diversification is the only free lunch in investing. However, his work on the efficient frontier shows that investors give up expected returns to lower expected risk. This may make diversification even more compelling. With uncertainty becoming a prevailing theme in financial markets and the global economy, focusing on the benefits on diversification could prove valuable for investors. The 60-40 portfolio may have lost its luster in the broad market selloff of 2022, but allocating across a diverse mix of assets is crucial in the long run. This episode of The Outthinking Investor dives into the topic of asset allocation and the role of stocks, bonds and alternatives in a diversified portfolio. Our guests are Antti Ilmanen, Global Co-Head of the Portfolio Solutions Group at AQR Capital Management and author of “Investing Amid Low Expected Returns: Making the Most When Markets Offer the Least”; Scott Cederburg, associate professor of finance at the University of Arizona and co-author of a research paper titled “Status Quo: A Critical Assessment of Lifecycle Investment Advice”; and Lorne Johnson, Head of Multi-Asset Portfolio Design at PGIM Quantitative Solutions. To hear more from PGIM, tune into our new podcast, Speaking of Alternatives, hosted by Eric Adler, President and CEO of PGIM Private Alternatives. Speaking of Alternatives is available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and other podcast platforms.

Millions of college students across the US graduate each spring and enter the workforce. When today’s retirees entered the workforce in the early 1980s, pension plans and Social Security benefits were two of the main sources of retirement income. Just a couple decades later, defined benefit (DB) plans were overtaken by defined contribution (DC) plans such as 401(k)s, and an aging population was slowly depleting the Social Security Trust Fund. This was a massive shift in a relatively short period of time, and it forever changed one of the most important and challenging aspects of personal finance. Workers are facing another pivotal moment in retirement saving, especially as higher interest rates change the investment landscape. What’s increasingly clear is that employer-based plans will play a crucial role in helping people financially prepare for retirement. This episode of The Outthinking Investor brings together fresh perspectives on the future of DC and DB plans in a higher-rate environment, expanding investment options in retirement plans, retirement challenges arising from an aging workforce and growing debt, and more. Our guests are Barb Marder, CEO of the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI); Brooke Masters, US financial editor of the Financial Times; and Josh Cohen, Head of Client Solutions for PGIM DC Solutions. For more retirement insights, listen to The Accidental Plan Sponsor, a podcast series from PGIM DC Solutions.

Exploring the lessons from the stock market crash of 1929, experts discuss strategies to mitigate downside risks in portfolios through alternatives. The podcast dives into investment decisions, risk management, evolving financial markets, maximizing risk-adjusted returns, and balancing risk in uncertain markets.

Some medical breakthroughs come from unexpected sources. The origins of new weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic—known in the industry as GLP-1s—can be traced back to 2005, when they were introduced as a treatment for diabetes. Two decades later, these drugs have seemingly burst onto the medical scene, gaining notoriety for their ability to help people lose weight and the potential implications for a variety of other business sectors. This “Ozempic effect” serves as an important lesson for investors: Healthcare innovations often have a cascading impact on the economy and their portfolios. With the healthcare industry working overtime on the next big breakthrough, identifying future winners in the medical field will lead investors to new opportunities.  The Outthinking Investor gathered insights from experts in the healthcare space to dig deeper into the future of medical innovations and how consumer behavior could change with the rise of weight-loss drugs. Our guests in this episode are Daniel Matviyenko, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Jennison’s healthcare strategies; Scott Swanson, Principal and Credit Analyst at PGIM Fixed Income; and Tim Dall, a health economist and Executive Director at GlobalData.

A storm may be brewing off the coast. It is not a new concern for investors, but its intensity has grown. The US federal government owes more than $34 trillion—and counting. This level of debt has the potential to wreak havoc, even for the world’s largest economy. Government debt has grown in other parts of the globe as well, and debt held by consumers and businesses can also pose economic risks. With a tsunami of debt lurking in the distance, investors must take stock of the potential ramifications if it ever crashes onto the shore. This episode of The Outthinking Investor addresses the economic challenges associated with an increasing debt burden, the impact on inflation, interest rates and financial markets, and fiscal policy prescriptions that could help bring the debt under control. Randal Quarles, former Vice Chair for Supervision at the Federal Reserve; Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget; and Tom Porcelli, Chief US Economist for PGIM Fixed Income, join the podcast to give a unique perspective on the intersection of debt, fiscal policy and financial markets.

Industrial policy is making a comeback in the West. The US, Europe and other governments have introduced new incentives to the private sector in hopes of bringing supply chains closer to home, boosting domestic industries, and building strategic advantages in key technologies such as semiconductors and EVs. But success is not guaranteed. Can governments pick winners and losers? Do the potential benefits of industrial spending, such as driving innovation and economic growth, outweigh the consequences of higher debt and interest rates? This episode of The OUTThinking Investor gathered insights from three experts on economics and fiscal policy to help investors assess how industrial strategies will affect financial markets and the global economy. Our guests are Paul Romer, economics professor at Boston College and former Chief Economist at the World Bank; Simon Johnson, professor at MIT Sloan School of Management and co-author of Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity; and Katharine Neiss, Deputy Head of Global Economics and Chief European Economist at PGIM Fixed Income.

In this environment of uncertainty, it's more important than ever for investors to think outside the box. Welcome to The Outthinking Investor, an award-winning podcast from PGIM that examines past events, present-day opportunities, and future possibilities across global capital markets. In Season 4, hosted by Toby Ricketts, experts from PGIM and the investment world bring unique perspectives as we explore a fast-changing landscape of investment opportunities and risks. Join us as we take a deep dive into the portfolio implications of a changing world.

The podcast discusses the historical context of labor markets and the impact of the industrial revolution. It explores the long-lasting structural forces reshaping labor markets, such as technology and shrinking populations. The concept of the good job strategy is introduced, highlighting the importance of using technology to create value for customers and improve frontline employees' jobs. The podcast also delves into the current state of labor markets and the impact of industrial policy and AI. It emphasizes the importance of labor productivity and adaptation to AI developments for companies to stay competitive.