02 September 2013

Top Five Articles for August: Emerging Markets and the Psychology of Saving

Posted In: Best Of

1. Turmoil in Emerging Markets: Is It 1997 All Over Again?

With expectations that the US Federal Reserve will soon begin to tighten monetary conditions, emerging markets — particularly in Asia — are grappling with renewed volatility. To understand what might be in store, it is instructive to look at the root causes of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. (Another post on this topic, “Volatility in Emerging Markets: Resources on Currency and Capital Flows,” was popular this month.)

2. Poll: What Factor Plays the Most Important Role in One’s Career?

As professionals, our careers tend to be a high priority in our lives. Various factors shape our careers, but which one is the most important? When we asked this question in our reader survey this week, we received 1,136 responses, indicating that there is no single dominant factor.

3. Why Do People Find It So Hard to Save?

The allure of hedonistic lifestyles, of “wine, women and song” (“sur, sura, sundari” in Hindi), translates into almost every language. So, with the apparently universal human impulse to “gather ye rosebuds while ye may,” why do people forgo the immediate pleasure of consumption and bother with all the self-denial involved in saving?

4. A Very Brief Guide to Portfolio Management: “Watch Everything . . . Always”

Jason Voss, CFA, explains how to overcome anchoring and inattentional biases for better portfolio management results.

5. Investing vs. Speculation: Highlights from the Future of Finance Forum

The inaugural Future of Finance Forum produced a lengthy transcript with a wealth of insights and perspectives. To help guide you to the essence of the discussion, Jason Voss, CFA, provides a summary.

Please note that the content of this site should not be construed as investment advice, nor do the opinions expressed necessarily reflect the views of CFA Institute.

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About the Author(s)

Jennifer Curry

Jennifer Curry formerly served as managing editor of the Enterprising Investor. Previously, she was the social media manager at the New York Society of Security Analysts (NYSSA). Prior to her work at NYSSA, Curry worked as the senior project editor for a nonfiction imprint at Barnes & Noble Publishing and as an assistant editor at the H.W. Wilson Company. She is the editor of several volumes in the Reference Shelf series, and her writing has appeared in Smithsonian, IndustryWeek, Barnes & Noble Review, and other publications. Curry holds a BS in journalism and a BA in anthropology from the University of Kansas, and an MA in anthropology from Hunter College, City University of New York.