Marc To Markets

On this episode, I switch places and answer questions from Client Advisor, Amanda Beebe about the markets and economy.   We cover an eventful year, starting with what I got right and wrong in my predictions for 2019.   I discuss where stock and bond markets stand now and what you can expect over the next 12 months.  Amanda asks what has me worried for 2020?  We finish with a discussion of how to think of 2020 in the context of your larger investment plan.With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this

On this episode, we cover IPOs from the perspective of the investor and from individuals who work at or own a private company that is going public. In Part I, I’m joined by Matt Palazzolo, a Senior Investment Strategist at Bernstein, to explain what an IPO is and how investors should think about them (0:00-12:00). In Part II, I discuss with Jonah Gruda, a Partner in the Private Client Services Department of MazarsUSA, how owners and executives at private companies should prepare for an IPO (12:00-14:30). Jonah explains the different types of restricted stocks and options and their tax-implications (14:30-24:30). We discuss risk management techniques and how to incorporate this trans-formative process into your financial plan (24:00-30:00). Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no re

On this episode we discuss the importance of financial modeling.   People use everything from Excel, to simplistic Apps, to high end models.   What are the pros and cons of these different models?  How important is having a financial model and what is the right type of model for you?   We discuss how a sophisticated modeling can be used for charitable and legacy planning, optimal trust management, and addressing large stock positions.   I'm joined by Bernstein's Director of Research Tara Thompson Popernik.   Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views e

One of the most discussed topics in recent years is the rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning.   I'm joined by Senior Investment Strategist, Paul Robertson, to understand what AI is, and how companies are using it to increase profitability.  Paul explains that it is not just tech companies, but even more traditional companies like McDonald’s that are leveraging AI.  We discuss how AI is impacting portfolio management and trading strategies, and conclude with a conversation about how AI can, and cannot, be incorporated into your financial plan.     Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past per

With the new school year upon us I thought I'd take the podcast back to school for Finance 101.  I'm joined by Damon Amendolara of CBS Radio to discuss some of the most important and practical parts of your financial plan.   We cover how much cash to keep in the bank, how to think about student and credit card debt, saving for college, the right size of your mortgage, the impact of a potential recession on the housing market, and the basics of stock and bond investments.       Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any

Youth sports is an enormous industry.  Childhood athletics is no longer just signing up for town rec soccer, little league, or a bunch of teenagers playing basketball at the local court.  If you are a parent or a grandparent, you will be interested in my discussion on the culture of youth sports.  I chat with Jason Sacks, Executive Vice President of the Positive Coaching Alliance, a non-profit whose mission is to highlight the positive impact that sports can have on a child now and in the future.  He shares his insight into the current climate and the business aspect of youth sports, and how to ensure children have a happy and healthy experience with athletics.Any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guar

Join me as I reflect on the first half of 2019.   I review how my expectations for the year have played out so far and discuss why following the markets too closely can impact your ability to maintain the right long-term strategy. I emphasize why not all "buy/sell" advice is appropriate for everyone and how best to be prepared for the second half of the year.      With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute i

We cover the industry from the operator, investor, and legal perspective.  Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the country, but faces a maze of regulatory hurdles.   I’m joined by Jason Klein - Chair of the Cannabis Law department at Offit Kurman; Dan Dolgin - Co Founder of Eaton Hemp; and Moira McLachlan - Senior Portfolio Manager at Bernstein to understand the enormous opportunities and challenges in this space.   With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast

Earlier this month I was joined in New York City for a lunch and learn with Ted Merwin, the author of the book Pastrami on Rye: The History of the Jewish Deli.   This episode is the recording of that discussion.   Ted covers the origin of the deli, its place in greater New York City culture, expansion around the country, the slow end of the deli era, and what he believes the future holds for this once beloved institution.    With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast is for i

This month, we focus on the bond market and interest rates. I’m joined by Matt Norton, Co-Head of Municipal Investing at Bernstein. Matt shares his forecast for interest rates and how best to position a bond portfolio in this environment.  We talk about the pros and cons of a laddered bond portfolio.   Matt shares his views on the stability of state and local government finances.  We uncover an often unseen cost to investors in the bond market and end our discussion by catching up on the status of Puerto Rico, and if Puerto Rican bonds should have a place in your portfolio.With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Pa

On a special Marc to Markets we go about as far away from finance as possible.  I break down College Basketball's March Madness Tournament with Damon Amendolara, host CBS Sports Radio's The D.A. Show, and Dave Friedman, Play-By-Play announcer of Winthrop Basketball and mid-major conference broadcasting legend.  We talk about the types of different pools, scoring systems, and best ways to attack your bracket depending on the rules.   They share the most exciting players and teams in the tournament, and the upset picks who can help you score the points you need to win.   We end with their best bets on the final four and winner of the entire tournament.     The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past

This month, we take a deep dive into philanthropy and not-for-profit organizations. I’m joined by Hillel Hyman, CFO of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan; Peter Dunn, President and CEO of the Central NY Community Foundation; and Seth Buchwald, a Principal at Bernstein and non-profit specialist. What is the best way to donate wealth, talent, and time to charity? For those already active in the space, we discuss the responsibilities of being involved with a board or investment committee of a non-profit. For those newer to philanthropy, we cover the fundamentals, highlighting the importance of an investment policy statement, and evaluating the pros and cons of establishing donor advised funds versus private foundations.  We conclude with a discussion on the challenges of the current capital market environment and how it specifically impacts foundations.  With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the

Millennials are rapidly becoming the largest demographic in the country.   They are already changing everything from the way we work, to how we communicate, to how we shop.  On this episode I talk with Paul Robertson, a Senior Portfolio Manager at Bernstein, to learn about who they are, what they want, and what makes them different than prior generations.  We discuss how understanding Millennials is critical for an investment manager as we think about the success of companies and economies in the future.With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed h

On this episode, I switch places and answer questions from Client Advisor, Amanda Beebe about the markets and economy.   We cover an eventful year, starting with what I got right and wrong in my predictions for 2018.   I discuss where stock and bond markets stand now and what you can expect over the next 12 months.  I also preview upcoming episodes of Marc to Markets in 2019. With any questions or comments, I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute

On this episode I chat with Kent Spellman, Co-Founder of Hard Eight Trading, a global proprietary trading firm based in Chicago.   Kent and I discuss how the trading of stocks has changed from the old days on the floor of an exchange.   We talk about how computers and high frequency trading are changing market risk.  Are these types of traders good or bad for the market?  Kent shares how it impacts individual investors and what lessons we can learn from the inside of the trading world.      Any questions or comments I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at a

On this episode I'm joined by Paul Benjamin, former Director of Investments at Alcoa.  At Alcoa he was responsible for asset allocation, manager selection and risk management of Alcoa’s $7+ Billion in global Pension and Foundation assets. Paul was named by CIO magazine one of the institutional investment Industry’s 40-under-forty.We discuss the October correction and where we go from here.   Is this market volatility the new normal?  What should expectations be for stocks and bonds going forward?  We also discuss how large insitutions position portfolios and the differences and similiarities between them and individidual investors.   We look at the impact of hedge funds and electronic trading on markets.  The takesaways from from October that can help you position your investments going forward.Any questions or comments I can be reached at marc.penziner@bernstein.com or 212-969-6655.The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speak

On this episode I'm joined by Fred Schulman, Managing Partner of the Schulman Blitz Law Firm.  We discuss how to use insurance to best protect yourself and your family, the most important type of insurance most people do not know about and insurance companies don't tell you about, what do you if someone you know has been injured in an accident, statute of limitations, types of damages, and the nature of fees in this part of the law.      The information presented and opinions expressed are solely the views of the podcast host commentator and their guest speaker(s).  AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All

On this episode we talk about the idea of sustainable investing. It is a common buzzword thrown out in the investment world today, but what does it mean, and how do you even do it? I’m joined by research analyst Joe Sun to talk about how his sustainable and thematic growth research team addresses the issue. We look into what makes a company qualify as sustainable, and who are the types of investors leading the way. The information contained here reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this podcast. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed here may change at any time after the date of this podcast. This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. AllianceBernst

On this episode I'm joined by Amanda Beebe, Senior Associate at Bernstein Private Wealth Management. We discuss how the essence of human nature leads people to be much worse at managing money than anticipated. We share research on how the mind can be lazy and lead investors to bad conclusions, especially when it involves evaluating risk and return. We cover why people so deeply want certainty and feel such acute pain from loss, and how these desires can lead to poor outcomes. We then address the impact this has had on portfolio returns and how one can become a better investor in the future. For more information email marc.penziner@bernstein.com or call 212-969-6655. The information contained herein reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this publication. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast or opinion in

On this episode we talk about China’s changing landscape, potential trade wars, and investment opportunity. Jim Murphy, Senior Portfolio Manager at Bernstein, explains the firm’s differentiated view of China and what our research is uncovering that might not be captured in today’s headlines. Then I’m are joined by Michael Mendel, CEO of Maytex, who has done business in China since the 1980s. He provides the business communities’ perspective on its evolution and what he sees for future of China. The information contained herein reflects the views of AllianceBernstein L.P. or its affiliates and sources it believes are reliable as of the date of this publication. AllianceBernstein L.P. makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy of any data. There is no guarantee that any projection, forecast, or opinion in this material will be realized. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The views expressed herein may change at any time after the date of this publication. This document