Recent Research
Identifying Opportunities in the Municipal Bond Market
May 2010
This paper outlines the historical benefits of municipal bonds, the changing dynamics in 2009 and the outlook for municipal bonds in 2010. We believe municipal bonds offer investors:
- Tax-Free Income - Munis offer interest that is exempt from federal income tax, and, in some cases, state and local tax as well. Low Default Rates - The 10-year average cumulative default rate for muni bonds since 1970 was 0.09% versus 11.06% for corporate bonds as of year-end 2009.
- Low Price Volatility - Over a 10-year period, ending February 2010, the volatility of tax-equivalent muni bonds relative to other asset classes was in line with Treasuries.
- Diversification - Muni bond returns are not highly correlated with equity markets. As well, they offer diversification for fixed income portfolios invested in corporate and government bonds.
- Attractive Total Returns - Last year, muni bonds outperformed equities for the 3-, 5- and 10-year time periods.
White Paper (849 KB, PDF)
Educational One-Pager (179 KB, PDF)
Fund Focus (274 KB, PDF)
Time to Invest in Short-Term Bonds?
March 2010
This paper outlines why now may be an opportune time to invest in short-term bonds.
White Paper (1 MB, PDF)
Presentation (1 MB, PPT)
Addmidcap.com Microsite
March 2010
RidgeWorth has published a whitepaper highlighting that mid-caps have outpaced other cap sizes over the majority of time periods and shows that a portfolio with an allocation to mid-caps had a better risk/reward relationship than a portfolio without. To make learning about mid-caps more dynamic, a microsite that includes an interactive tool helps advisors easily demonstrate to their clients how mid-caps have consistently outperformed other cap sizes over the past 30 years.
Learn more »
White Paper (862 KB, PDF)
Planadvisortools.com Retirement Microsite
March 2010
RidgeWorth has launched a new site dedicated to the needs of retirement plan advisors. The new site, www.planadvisortools.com, has an interactive, customizable retirement plan benchmarking tool and an array of general resources that 401(k) advisors can use to help plan sponsors meet their fiduciary duty.
Learn More »
The Return of Spread Products (624 KB, PDF)
May 2009
Highlights the value opportunity RidgeWorth currently sees in fixed income products as a result of the 2008 credit crisis. Shows the dislocations in historical credit spreads and offers three compelling reasons to invest in higher-yielding fixed-income sectors.
White Paper (623 KB, PDF)
Uncommon Opportunity in the Municipal Bond Market (560 KB, PDF)
May 2009
Discusses why the municipal bond market presents both average and affluent investors with an unprecedented investment opportunity. Includes a comparison of the 10-year Municipal and Treasury Bond Yields and discusses the confluence of events that created this investment opportunity.
White Paper (1 MB, PDF)
Educational One-Pager (175 KB, PDF)
The Case For Growth Investing (453 KB, PDF)
June 2009
Discusses why RidgeWorth believes growth stocks are poised for a rebound and explains the importance of active management. Includes a historical perspective and illustration on the rotation between growth and value stocks and highlights growth’s attractive valuations relative to value.
White Paper (453 KB, PDF)
Presentation (502 KB, PDF)
The Value of Dividend Investing (623 KB, PDF)
March 2009
Discusses why many investors are now rethinking their investment strategies and are returning to a “back to basics” strategy that gives dividends a more prominent role in their investment portfolios. Shows that dividend paying companies have outperformed non-dividend paying companies in four of the last five decades.
White Paper (623 KB, PDF)
Educational One-Pager (107 KB, PDF)
Understanding the Fixed Income Fund You Own (506 KB, PDF)
February 2009
Provides RidgeWorth’s perspective on fixed income mutual funds amid the worldwide popping of the greatest credit and debt bubble in modern times. Includes a historical perspective on the fixed income market, discusses how managers may have managed fixed income funds in 2008 and explains the implications for investors.
White Paper (520 KB, PDF)
