Description: This article discusses the trend toward outsourcing of insurance assets to third party money managers which has grown steadily as insurers face increasing market challenges. Insurers are finding that a strategic approach to outsourcing investments is critical to enhancing value within both liability reserves and surplus portfolios.

Description: The following vidoe is from Eric Milner, ASA MAAA Vice President and Actuary at Risk Strategies Company. IN this video he takes us through the intricated world of investment, risks, asset allocation, and fundamental theories of quantitative finance. The session begins by dissecting Market Risk, Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk, and Operational Risk, emphasizing the importance of not just identifying but quantifying and managing these risks intelligently. Strategies for Asset Allocation and Diversification are discussed alongside cornerstone theories such as Arbitrage Pricing Theory (APT), Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT), and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). The Efficient Market Hypothesis and Behavioral Finance shed light on market dynamics and the impact of psychological influences on financial decision-making, providing a comprehensive understanding essential for sophisticated investment strategies and informed financial analysis. Contributors: Eric Milner, ASA, MAAA; Richard Vaccaro, FSA, MAAA ; Diyi Zhao ASA, MAAA; Jon Forster ASA, MAAA

Description: Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute’s Committee on Finance Research (CFR) and SOA Investment Section are interested in an exploration of the impact of Artificial Intelligence on investment professionals from a variety of perspectives. The result of this effort is intended to provide a useful resource for readers to become well-grounded on the issues surrounding the impact of these tools in an investment context and set the stage for future research.

Description: E-book contains 16 topical essays that express the opinions and thoughts of a number of authors on the subject of Investment Fallacies.

Description: During March 2020, COVID-19 concerns escalated in the U.S. and lockdown measures were announced. Market returns in March 2020 were quite extreme and choppy, alternating between days of huge gains and losses. As investors prepare for the future, it is important to understand whether these volatility surges and sharp movements are understood and captured by commonly used models. In this article, we will explore equity market performance in 2020 using the S&P 500 Total Return Index (SP500TR) and the relevant equity modeling implications

Description: Frist Quarter 2022 updates on tax issues involving: IRS publication of 7702 60-month avg. applicable federal interest rates, OECD Global Minimum Tax, final Foreign Tax Credit regulations issued by Treasury and IRS, Final Regulations on Tax Issues Associated with LIBOR Transition issued by Treasury and IRS, and the Multistate Tax Commission Partnership Project focusing on insurer investment partnerships.

Description: U.S. bond markets have undergone dramatic changes due to the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the COVID-19 pandemic. In taking a retrospective view, we can see that bond markets, viewed through the lens of major bond indices, have been evolving for quite some time. Within this paper, TD Asset Management Inc. (TDAM) will explore underlying changes that have occurred within the U.S. Corporate Bond Index, a sub-component of the larger U.S. investment grade bond market, over the past decade. We will highlight key structural changes that have occurred within bond markets and why they are noteworthy

Description: In this video Eric Milner, ASA MAAA explores financial risk management and hedging strategies, catering to both seasoned professionals and newcomers. It covers essential topics such as hedging techniques to stabilize portfolios, determining optimal hedging rations, and assuring risks using metrics like Value at Risk (VaR). Additionally, it delves into various risk management categories including credit, interest rate, foreign exchange, equity, volatility, and liquidity, emphasizing the importance of understanding these strategies for maintaining financial stability in dynamic markets. Contributors: Eric Milner, ASA, MAAA ; Fiona Fan FSA, MAAA; Emelia Bruera, FSA; Jon Forster ASA, MAAA

Description: In this comprehensive exploration led by Eric Milner, viewers are immersed in the intricate realm of actuarial science and quantitative finance. The video navigates through interest rate modeling, yield curves, and financial derivatives, shedding light on their practical significance in global financial operations. Key concepts such as Cox-Ingrersoll-Ross and Hull-White models are elucidated, alongside standard yield curve models and advanced quantitative tools like the Black-Scholes model and Monte Carlo Simulations. Actuaries gain indispensable insights into managing complex financial risks, fostering stability, and resilience against market fluctuations, crucial for strategic decision-making and investment planning and risk management across various sectors. Contributors: Eric Milner, ASA, MAAA; Richard Vaccaro, FSA, MAAA ; Diyi Zhao ASA, MAAA; Jon Forster ASA, MAAA