Insights
Personalized Learning to Drive Demand for Tech and Content Providers
Personalized learning pathways and the proliferation of virtual and hybrid learning environments are bringing significant structural changes to edtech.
Read morePhilanthropy in the Age of Constant Disruption
By understanding and embracing new trends that are reshaping the way people give, families can strengthen their philanthropic legacies for generations to come.
Read moreGeneral Aviation Has Staying Power. So Does M&A Activity Among Fixed Base Operators
A rebound that started in the second half of 2020 portends good things for general aviation and the fixed base operators (FBO) that serve the nation’s airports—even in the face of broader economic headwinds.
Read moreCybersecurity: A Self Defense Guide
As the world becomes more digitally connected, cybersecurity risks will keep rising.
Read moreValue-Added Development Partners Play Vital Role Across Consumer Products Spectrum
Powerful macro trends and a growing need for innovation and efficiency are driving demand for value-added partners—resulting in increasing M&A attention.
Read moreUsing a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) for Wealth Transfer Purposes
A grantor retained annuity trust (GRAT) is a wealth transfer technique used by taxpayers who want to gift future asset appreciation to heirs.
Read moreThinking Strategically About Charitable Giving
Using charitable giving strategies to enhance the tax-efficiency of your donations plays a vital role in maximizing the impact of your gifts.
Read moreSeeking Value
Value investing, says our U.S. value equity team, is like seeking a four-leaf clover in a field of three-leaf clovers. And to do that, they take a particularly collaborative approach.
Read moreBalancing Retirement and Wealth-Transfer Goals
With thoughtful planning and strategic management of their portfolios, investors can successfully balance their retirement and wealth-transfer goals.
Read moreOpportunities in Value Strategies
Following a long period of outperformance for growth, value has had a strong resurgence this year.
Read moreThe Current State of Energy
Are there still compelling investment opportunities in energy despite the sector's recent outperformance?
Read moreData Democratization Driving Efficiency in Financial Services
We hear a lot about democratization—the action of making something accessible to everyone—in public policy. But democratization also applies to data, and we believe advancements in technology will drive change within the financial services industry.
Read moreAsset Allocation: Your Biggest Investment Decision
Building a portfolio involves countless decisions. But none is more important than how you allocate your wealth across asset classes. This white paper describes the process of developing a customized asset-allocation strategy, achieving meaningful diversification across and within asset classes, and monitoring allocations and reviewing portfolios.
Read moreEstate Planning Documents for Your College-Age Children
Estate planning is probably the last thing on your mind as your child settles into college. However, what many parents do not consider is that once a child turns 18, he or she is legally recognized as an adult in most states.
Read moreLeveraged Finance Embarks on a Quarter of Discovery Amidst a Volatile Backdrop
The leveraged finance market embarked on a quarter of discovery as significant macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds persisted.
Read moreEvaluating Climate Change Critical in ESG Integration
Climate change, if left unchecked, will likely have such widespread implications that it could threaten the stability of the global financial system.
Read moreESG Insight: Exploring ESG Dynamics Within the Payments Industry
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) has become a hot topic within both the political and investing world, yet it continues to gain traction as corporations and governments are allocating more resources to the cause.
Read moreMetals of the Future Drive Opportunities in Frontier Markets
Metal exporters in emerging markets may be underappreciated because regulation and consumer preferences are creating demand for clean transportation, and we believe this demand will drive strong growth in copper, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, and lithium.
Read morePre- and Post-Transaction Planning Checklist
Proactive pre- and post-transaction wealth planning can affect your strategy as you consider the sale of your business.
Read moreThe Quarterly Rx: Q2 2022 U.S. Biopharma Recap
As the challenging public markets environment persist in biopharma, companies and investors alike are hard pressed to call the bottom.
Read moreData Democratization Driving Efficiency in Financial Services
With the increased flow of information, sharing data across various mediums is a focus within the financial services industry to improve workflows, enhance decision-making, and provide more personalized solutions for clients.
Read moreConsumer Health and Wellness: Compelling Attributes, Powerful Megatrends Make M&A Holistically Attractive
Investors and industry participants can capitalize on compelling market attributes and powerful megatrends with specific value creation frameworks.
Read moreApplying for College Financial Aid
What you need to know about applying for financial aid and enhancing your family’s aid eligibility.
Read moreFinancial Guide to Settling the Affairs of a Loved One
William Blair’s private wealth events provide a forum for families to explore a variety of wealth management topics for all stages of life.
Read moreAuto Dealers Accelerate the Pace of Digital Transformation
Auto dealers are racing to transform their businesses with digital tools designed to drive efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.
Read moreState Residency Changes: Tax Implications and Rules
This paper reviews the residency rules for individuals, identifies steps to establish new residency, and addresses residency audits. It also provides an overview of the residency rules for trusts.
Read moreInspiring Philanthropy Across Generations
For philanthropic families, charitable giving is more than just a way to strengthen their communities and support causes that are dear to their hearts. Philanthropy is a central part of the family’s mission, values, and legacy.
Read moreEstate Planning Checklist
Estate planning is a method for determining how to distribute your property during your life and at your death. William Blair published an organizer to help facilitate the process.
Read moreEvaluating Climate Change Is Critical in ESG Integration
Climate change encompasses many trends and risks that are critical for investors and companies to understand.
Read moreClient Focus Spotlights Midyear Economic Outlook for 2022
William Blair’s macroeconomist Richard de Chazal shares his market insights and discusses the economic indicators he will be closely watching in the third quarter and beyond.
Read moreGrowth Investing Requires a Growth Mindset
Identifying possible future growth drivers requires curious, creative thinkers who have an innate need to solve puzzles.
Read moreUsing "Pre-Cap" Transactions to Optimize M&A Outcomes
William Blair’s Darren Bank discusses the benefits of pre-caps, why these transactions should be considered, and how William Blair can optimize these outcomes.
Read moreCreating a Discipline for Creative Investing
Future cash flows at investible companies are enhanced by things that don’t show up on a balance sheet, such as culture, brand, and leadership. Here’s how to identify them.
Read moreCollaborative Learning Drives Outcomes
Deep expertise is essential in investment management, but operating in silos limits potential investment outcomes. Here are some examples of how we learn as a team—and why failing is as important as succeeding.
Read moreOpportunities for Disruption Still Exist in the Massive B2B Payments Market
M&A activity in the B2B payments sector is increasing as the market continues to digitize.
Read moreShould Emerging Markets Debt Investors Be Afraid of the Fed Hiking Cycle?
Should emerging markets debt investors be concerned about recent U.S. rate hikes, or could this be a buying opportunity?
Read moreLooking for Leaders—Abroad
Looking for the best sustainable value creators in the world? Here’s how we identify them, and why you may want them in your portfolio.
Read moreFrontier Markets Debt: Underowned and Undercovered
Many investors think frontier markets are too risky, but strategically overweighting these markets in an emerging markets debt portfolio could offer higher return potential.
Read moreESG Considerations in Frontier Markets
ESG factors can be hard to quantify in frontier markets, but a quantitative approach with a qualitative overlay may help uncover attractive opportunities.
Read moreIntegrating Social Determinants of Health Into the Care Mainstream
Investments in healthy foods, transportation, housing, and social activities are leading to better healthcare.
Read moreRecord of Personal Financial and Family Information
Having access to the right information when you need it most is essential to managing your wealth. Our new booklet helps you organize your family’s critical personal and financial information and serves as a consolidated record of your various assets.
Read moreDigital Expansion Creates a New Paradigm for Security
The evolving work-from-home environment, expanded use of technology by consumers, and defense systems to protect critical infrastructure are among the reasons cybersecurity needs are growing.
Read moreConnected Medical Devices Improving Healthcare
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented implications for the healthcare sector, and it required the adoption of innovative new technology to cope with the challenges.
Read moreThe Appeal of Mid-Cap Value
Historically, mid-cap value equities have been strong performers—and market conditions today might only enhance the potential opportunity they present.
Read moreSeeking an Edge in Mid-Cap Value
Investors are always looking for an edge. In the mid-cap value space, a consistent research process and analyst sector expertise may have the potential to provide it.
Read moreHow Portfolios May Be Handicapped Without International Exposure
The universe of high-quality growth investments outside the United States is expanding. Are you in a position to seize these potential opportunities?
Read morePreserving Family Wealth: Before, During, and After Marriage
Creating an enduring financial legacy becomes more challenging with each branch that is added to the family tree through marriage. We examine strategies for preserving wealth and harmony across generations.
Read moreShifting Opportunities in an Atypical Landscape
We’ve shifted from thinking the future might look similar to the past to thinking it might look quite different.
Read moreCollege Was Awesome. Now What?
College graduation marks the start of a career with new responsibilities and decisions. It can be an exciting time but filled with uncertainty.
Read moreBrand Matters: Consumer Health and Wellness
We believe the consumer health and wellness market is attractive for industry participants and investors, whether those be venture capital seeding promising early-stage start-ups looking for proof of concept, private equity funding growth of midstage businesses looking to scale, and public market capital allocators looking to create value for shareholders.
Read moreSurveys Suggest Consumer Spending Swings to Experiences
With inflation top of mind among investors, learn how consumers responded to William Blair’s latest survey on food retail trends.
Read moreInvesting in People
When Aoifinn Devitt created The Fiftyfaces Podcast in 2020, she wanted to showcase the diversity of the world’s investors by telling their stories. Now, she tells William Blair's Hugo Scott-Gall her own story.
Read moreEducation Financing
Among its many benefits, a college education can have a significant impact on future earning potential. It is an important investment. It is also becoming a more expensive one as increases in college costs continue to outpace inflation.
Read moreLeveraged Finance Activity Stumbles in Q1 Amid Macroeconomic and Geopolitical Uncertainty
The broader leveraged finance market stumbled during the first quarter of 2022 as rising interest rates, inflation, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine created significant headwinds.
Read moreQualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA
IRA owners who are age 70½ or older and charitably inclined may consider making Qualified Charitable Distributions from their IRAs as a tax efficient way to fund charitable goals.
Read morePayment Fraud: The Problem of Minimizing Fraud Costs and Boosting Sales
We believe the fraud management space will garner increasing corporate and investor focus in coming years and see the potential for multiple emerging players as longer-term winners in the space.
Read moreRising to Meet the Climate Challenge
Our society is in a race against time to decarbonize, and we seek to identify companies that have the potential to catalyze positive change.
Read moreWhy Corporate Credit in Emerging Markets Debt Portfolios?
Corporates are becoming an ever more important part of emerging markets hard currency debt investments.
Read moreFive Themes for Public Company Board Agendas in 2022
There is a lot to consider in the current M&A and corporate finance environment. Despite the volatility and uncertainty of the market, broader strategic topics remain top-of-mind for business leaders and boardrooms.
Read moreClient Focus Features Women and Initiatives Empowering Their Success
The growing financial power of women positions them to make meaningful societal change through impact investments, starting and growing successful companies, philanthropy, and more.
Read moreSOFR Use Rises as LIBOR Sunsets
William Blair’s Leveraged Finance group shares insight on the transition from LIBOR to SOFR, how the rates compare to each other, and where the leveraged finance market stands today.
Read moreAvoid the Most Common Mistakes in Estate Planning
Estate planning is all about your legacy. A well-planned estate plan is one that meets your goals and avoids unnecessary costs, delays, and conflicts.
Read moreBuilding Your Financial Strategy
By identifying your priorities you can create a manageable and strategic plan for keeping your financial plan on course.
Read moreHR Software Market to Benefit From the Evolving Work Environment
In our report we highlight seven themes in HR software and provide our conclusions as to the implications to our public HR software coverage.
Read moreKey Factors Driving M&A Activity in Commercial Aerospace
Dealmaking is picking up in commercial aerospace. Private equity sponsors and strategic buyers are seeking businesses that are well positioned to benefit from the sector’s post-pandemic rebound. We discuss key valuation drivers in the current M&A environment.
Read moreBecoming a Parent: 10 Steps to Financially Prepare for a Growing Family
Tips for making sure your loved ones are protected.
Read moreGetting Married: 5 Financial Considerations
How to successfully merge financial lives with your partner.
Read moreBeginning Your Career and Understanding Your Finances
Tips for managing your money as you start your career.
Read moreThe Shift to the Cloud
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a number of existing trends, and the digitalization of corporate America—more specifically the expansion of the public cloud—is one of the more significant investment trends given its vast growth potential.
Read moreDemystifying Today’s Lending Markets
The range of lending options available to private companies has never been broader. But with greater options comes greater complexity.
Read moreQuick Reference Guide to Retirement Plans
Understanding the nuances between retirement plans can be challenging. William Blair’s Quick Reference Guide to Retirement Plans compares and contrasts features such as account establishment, account contributions, and accessibility.
Read moreThe Future of Manufacturing
A fully digitalized factory, which includes robots and cobots, combined with full connectivity via a localized internet of things, drives change.
Read moreConnected Medical Devices Improving Healthcare
Connected devices that enable remote patient monitoring are a great example of a shifting technology landscape brought about by COVID.
Read moreRestaurant Technology M&A Accelerates, Driven by New Levels of Industry Digitization
The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the restaurant industry to utilize technology platforms more than ever before. We explore some of the key factors driving restaurant technology M&A today.
Read moreChina 2022: A Year of Opportunity
China is accelerating efforts to achieve Common Prosperity and implementing other policy initiatives aimed at sustainable growth. What might this reshuffling of policy priorities mean for investors across China’s equity and bond markets?
Read moreLeveraged Finance Market Finishes Banner Year with Another Record-Setting Quarter
Each quarter William Blair surveys a broad spectrum of lenders on conditions in the leveraged finance market for middle-market credits. The survey focuses on what lenders saw and experienced in the previous quarter as well as their expectations for future periods.
Read moreSnack Foods in Growth Mode as Marketplace Evolves
Snacks represent one of the biggest aisles in the grocery store—as well as one of the most dynamic.
Read moreRobots Running the Factory
The future of robotics is vast and presents exciting opportunities in the consumer space, in factories, and at home.
Read moreRisk: Understanding and Managing an Inevitable Part of Investing
Identifying the various types of risk that investors face can help you think strategically about how to manage risk in a way that aligns with your goals and objectives.
Read moreEmerging Markets: A Great Awakening
Two years after COVID-19 emerged, we share our thoughts about how EM equity and debt are likely to fare in this reawakening.
Read moreClient Focus Spotlights Key Investment Trends to Watch in 2022
For a glimpse of what’s ahead for 2022, Client Focus discusses cybersecurity, ESG investing, the digital supply chain, food security amid climate change with four leading William Blair analysts.
Read more2022 Tax Reference Guide
William Blair's tax reference guide for income earned in 2022 and tax returns filed in 2023 is now available.
Read more2022 Planning Strategies
High-net-worth individuals and families, philanthropists, and business owners should evaluate their tax and estate plans so they are best positioned for the long-term outlook. You might consider reviewing the following strategies to help meet your financial, wealth-transfer, and philanthropic goals.
Read moreLeveraged Finance: 2021 in Review
Debt financing experienced powerful momentum in 2021 as deal volume hit an all-time high and new financing options emerged. William Blair’s Leveraged Finance Group reviews the key themes that drove debt financing markets in 2021.
Read moreFinancial Inclusion Can Help Drive Investment Opportunities
Emerging markets debt investors can gain exposure to financial inclusion via companies with diverse geographies, business operations, and risk profiles.
Read moreMarket Trends in the Diagnostics Industry
Globally, there has been a push for earlier disease detection and prevention, and powerful diagnostics technologies are expected to improve early cancer detection.
Read moreFinancial Inclusion Drives Investment Opportunities
Emerging markets debt investors can gain exposure to financial inclusion via companies with diverse geographies, business operations, and risk profiles.
Read moreDealmaking Amid America's Water Dilemma
The United States has a problem with water. Water supply shortages and aging infrastructure have led to a critical need for upgrades, repairs, and entirely new water systems. This has created a rich M&A environment for companies that can solve America’s most pressing water issues.
Read moreBenefits of Emerging Markets Debt Asset Class
Emerging markets debt is an under-researched and under-owned asset class, creating the potential for returns and diversification.
Read moreInvestment Opportunities in the Public Cloud
The cloud has barely scratched the surface of its growth potential. How big could it get? And what industries and businesses are potential beneficiaries of that growth?
Read moreSnack to the Future
Snacking is becoming a more central feature of consumer eating habits and innovation is resulting in more healthful and functional options appealing to a wider range of consumers.
Read moreDigitalization Trend Across Multiple Growth Themes
Why is digitalization an important growth driver? And how will it affect decisions across many other investment themes?
Read moreSecular Trends Driving Emerging Markets Growth
The landscape for emerging markets is changing. How are these markets evolving? What are the key secular growth trends? And which markets should investors focus on?
Read morePackaging Industry M&A Activity Surges Amid Strong Tailwinds
M&A activity in the packaging industry has surged during the first three quarters of 2021. The industry showed resiliency during the pandemic, with accelerating growth and stable cash flows.
Read moreInnovations in Smart City Technology
What is driving smart city innovation? The pandemic has stimulated the adoption of smart city technology. But the Infrastructure Bill has the potential to shift things into overdrive.
Read more5 Forces Driving Growth in the Construction and Building Product Sector
The construction and building product sector is embracing new technologies to protect the planet. Discover the five forces we see driving future growth and investment in the space.
Read moreThe Impact of 5G
The fifth generation of the mobile network is notably different from the generations before it. Discover how 5G will have a significant impact on the economy in years to come.
Read more3 Key Factors Setting the Stage for Capital Spending
Learn how the labor shortage, a shift to green energy, and the need to re-shore production are helping pave the way for capital spending through the end of this decade.
Read moreU.S. Infrastructure and Closing the Digital Divide
Internet access has immensely evolved over the past few decades, and the need for high-speed internet has drastically increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Find out how the U.S. Appropriations Acts will fund and benefit internet infrastructure, helping to close the digital divide.
Read moreRecord-Breaking M&A Activity Drives Robust Quarter in Leveraged Finance
Borrower-friendly market conditions strengthened in the third quarter as demand for leveraged loans remained at all-time highs.
Read moreConservation Capitalism
Everything is getting smart these days, including buildings, grids, and cities, creating efficiency gains.
Read morePrivacy is Power: Highlights
As the data economy grows in power, privacy erosion is affecting both policymakers and investors, says Carissa Véliz in this one-minute video that highlights our CONNECTIVITY 2021 virtual event session.
Read moreSpotlight on the Next Major IT Labor Pool: Latin America
The rise of Latin American-centric outsourcing firms demonstrates the potential of this market and growing consensus around Latin America’s ability to help ease strains on the technology labor market.
Read moreClient Focus Features Biotech, IPOs, Inflation and More
William Blair analysts Raju Prasad, Myles Minter, and Matt Larew describe the latest advancements in the biotech space and the companies leading the charge in just released Client Focus.
Read moreDigitalization Driving Decarbonization
Everything around us is getting smarter—buildings, cars, cities. And ESG factors are accelerating this trend.
Read moreSpouse Lifetime Access Trust
The SLAT is a type of irrevocable trust used to transfer wealth outside your estate in which one spouse creates a trust for the benefit of the other spouse and his/her heirs.
Read moreFood For Thought: Food Brands and Manufacturers Rethink Pricing and Product Strategy as Input Costs Rise
Rising input prices and supply chain disruptions are forcing retailers and manufacturers across food and beverage to adjust their pricing strategies. In this issue of Food For Thought, we examine the extent to which these issues are squeezing manufacturers’ and retailers’ margins—or being passed on to consumers.
Read moreRise of Electric Vehicles: Impact on Commodities and Emerging Markets
We discuss the rise of electric vehicles and its impact on the utilization of several key metals.
Read morePerspectives on Private Equity Investing
There has been a tremendous amount of capital raised over the past 10 years, and the deal environment remains incredibly robust in 2021. With private equity continuing to be raised at a record pace, we try to target funds that fall into three buckets.
Read moreImbedding ESG Factors Into Strategic Decision Making
The drivers of sustainable investing appear to be structural in nature and represent emerging risks and opportunities for companies across different industries. For investors and companies seeking to demonstrate their green credentials, we expect to see net zero commitments become the norm.
Read moreOur Value Approach
Our value equity team explains its approach to value investing: not deep value, but high-quality value.
Read moreOur Edge in Small Cap Value
We believe three things define our edge in small-cap value: our team’s experience; a well-defined and interactive research process; and the fact that we’re all pulling the oar in the same direction.
Read moreWasteExpo 2021: Conference Highlights the Growing Role for Sustainability and Technology
At this year’s WasteExpo conference in Las Vegas, trends related to sustainability, digitalization, and rising regulatory and inflationary pressures dominated conversations. We examine these trends and how they are shaping the dealmaking landscape in the waste management industry.
Read moreThe Current Technology Ecosystem in the Restaurant Industry
The restaurant industry has been forced to adapt and innovate throughout the pandemic. As a result, a major opportunity for technology providers is stemming from restaurant operators implementing a wide range of digital improvements in ordering and hiring efficiencies.
Read moreRoth IRA Conversions: What They Mean For Shareholders
A Roth IRA conversion can serve as a valuable tool for transferring wealth when applied under the proper conditions.
Read moreDigital Reality
We envision an internet where the virtual and physical worlds become a single seamlessly interconnected realm.
Read moreRed-Hot M&A Market Fuels Another Big Quarter in Leveraged Finance
Demand for leveraged loans remained extremely strong during the second quarter, with market conditions shifting further in borrowers’ favor.
Read moreEnabling Technologies in Digital Reality
In less than a decade we’ve moved from early versions of smart glasses like Google Glass to virtual reality gaming headsets like Oculus. This takes us ever closer to a digital reality that is often referred to as the metaverse.
Read moreCyclical Opportunities in Small-Cap Value
Learn why our value equity team believes the most compelling small-cap value opportunities can be found in the more cyclical industrial sectors, and to a lesser extent, commodities.
Read moreWhat Would the American Jobs Plan Mean to the Industrial Infrastructure Sector?
William Blair analysts Nick Heymann, Brian Drab, and Ryan Merkel weigh in on what the American Jobs Plans could mean for businesses and investments within the industrial infrastructure sector in the latest Client Focus.
Read moreESG Integration Across the Cap Spectrum
With large- and small-cap companies in different stages of ESG adoption, tracking, and reporting, we believe investors should take a tailored approach to engagement to drive the most positive outcomes.
Read moreCOVID-19’s Demand on Workforce Diversity
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the business-criticality of childcare benefits, which are now key to the attraction, productivity, and retention of diverse talent.
Read moreESG Integration: A More Holistic View
We believe integrating sustainability factors alongside rigorous, fundamental research provides a holistic assessment of corporate risk and opportunities.
Read moreTreats and Supplements Emerge as Attractive Categories on the Periphery of the Pet Food Bowl
While pet food has garnered the most attention, treats and supplements present the most compelling opportunities for investors and acquirers to tap into the pet industry’s strong growth trends.
Read moreAsset-Backed Securities and the Pandemic Economy
The credit performance of asset-backed securities (ABS) could be impacted if consumers are strapped for cash. However, to date, ABS have mitigated the negative impact of increased volatility due to the pandemic.
Read moreLeveraged Finance Market Bursts Out of the Gate in 2021 with Record-Setting First Quarter
Debt markets were hitting on all cylinders, supported by favorable technical tailwinds and pent-up demand from both borrowers and investors.
Read morePerspectives Across the Private Alternative Investments Landscape
While private capital fundraising slowed because of the pandemic, we see potential for a revitalization in fundraising, economic activity, and deal activity in 2021.
Read moreTechnological Transformation
Strong demand for technology-led innovation can help more businesses digitalize their operations in order to make their products and services better, faster, cheaper, and more convenient.
Read moreThe Pandemic's Impact on the Childcare Industry
Considering the pandemic, research shows female representation in the workforce could take a significant step backwards. Find out what impact this has posed on the childcare industry from an environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standpoint.
Read morePost-Pandemic Expectations for the Restaurant Industry
The National Restaurant Association estimates 15% to 20% of restaurants permanently closed over the past year. What could this mean for consumer demands and experiences?
Read morePersistent Transformation Within Technology Companies
Strong demand for technology-led innovation can help more businesses digitalize their operations in order to make their products and services better, faster, cheaper, and more convenient. We believe these transformative shifts are here to stay.
Read moreThe Need for Structural and Technological Transformation in Healthcare
The pandemic has highlighted just how much digital ground the healthcare sector needs to cover. In fact, the fax machine would no longer exist if it was not for our healthcare system. As the market continues to grow, investors will look for opportunities among companies that provide improved quality, decreased cost, and a better experience for patients and caregivers.
Read moreRetirement Plan Beneficiary Options
The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act”, which was passed into law in December 2019, introduced substantial updates to longstanding retirement account rules. One of the most notable changes was the elimination (with some exceptions) of the ‘stretch’ provision for non-spouse beneficiaries of Inherited IRA accounts.
Read moreMoving Forward: Optimistic Economic Outlook
The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, President Biden’s economic plan, and hopes for consumer spending to return to more normal levels raise the prospect for strong economic expansion in 2021, says William Blair analyst Richard de Chazal in Client Focus.
Read moreConnected Commerce: Beyond Bricks and Clicks
Learn about opportunities presented by "connected commerce," which is an increasingly integrated shopping experience—that is, transactions that can take place anywhere, anytime, in a frictionlesss manner.
Read moreNavigating Macro Investments in an Accelerated Environment
What does it mean for portfolios as market prices move in accordance with changes in the macro environment? Thomas Clarke discusses how the pandemic accelerated changes already taking place and pushed things further in the direction they were going.
Read moreDefining the Distribution Tech Landscape
When looking at the rapidly emerging distribution tech sector, P&C insurance analyst Adam Klauber notes that, “Shifts in the distribution value chain are the main theme to understand and to watch over time.”
Read moreEditGenetics: 3 Ways of Improving Lives
A trend McKinsey calls “synthetic biology,” which is essentially the merging of science and big data, can be seen across diverse fields.
Read moreBiggest Implications of Economic Growth in 2021
That 2021 economic growth is likely to be the strongest in decades is increasingly becoming consensus view. Here’s why we think this year will be all about earnings growth well in excess of expectations.
Read moreWhy International Leaders ADR for Your International Exposure
Investors seeking to diversify portfolio exposure beyond U.S. companies may want to consider ADRs.
Read moreEmerging Markets: Looking Ahead
A year after COVID-19 emerged, we're bullish on the outlook for emerging markets equity and debt.
Read moreDemographic- and Pandemic-Related Trends Fuel Demand for Home Services
As more Americans invest in their homes, our survey reveals insights about how shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors are creating new opportunities for residential service, remodeling, and repair providers.
Read moreWilliam Blair FinTech: 2020 in Review
The push toward automation, digitalization, and predictive analytics across all aspects of financial services gained momentum during the pandemic. This has set the stage for what should be an incredibly active year in 2021 in terms of consolidation and capital raising.
Read moreLeveraged Finance Market Slams Door on 2020 With Solid Fourth Quarter
Debt investors blocked out fourth-quarter noise to end roller-coaster year with significant momentum.
Read more2021 Tax Reference Guide Now Available
William Blair's tax reference guide for income earned in 2021 and tax returns filed in 2022 is now available.
Read moreBeyond 2020—Key Sectors to Watch in 2021
Client Focus features outlooks from William Blair analysts on key sectors to watch in 2021 and an update on COVID-19 vaccines from the head of our biotech equity research team.
Read moreThree Pillars of International Investing
Today’s investors may be handicapping their return potential by not considering international stocks.
Read moreWhat’s Ahead in COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Distribution
Developing vaccines to beat COVID-19 has been the Manhattan Project of our time. Now we’re into distribution, but some of the public is questioning safety. Can we return to normal by the end of 2021?
Read moreCybersecurity 2020: Trust No One, Verify Everyone
The term zero trust has become the next in a long line of popular terms used by cybersecurity companies to associate their offerings with a more sophisticated, next-generation approach.
Read more5 Biggest Trends Changing Healthcare Today
Healthcare advancements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are rapidly becoming market mainstream and could make the U.S. system more effective.
Read moreCOVID-19’s Impact on Specialty Distribution
The COVID-19 pandemic has pressured supply chains across industries, but the net impact has varied significantly depending on the end-market.
Read moreFive Reasons Testing Is Still Important Even with Vaccines
While vaccines are unequivocally good news in the fight against COVID-19, there are five important reasons that diagnostics manufacturers should remain busy into the foreseeable future.
Read morePreparing for Successful Divestments of Corporate Carve-Outs
As companies continue to execute their responses to COVID-19 and streamline their portfolios to drive shareholder value and address activist shareholders, we expect to see an increase in divestiture activity.
Read moreKey Areas of Convergence in Public and Private Capital Markets
A robust appetite for high-growth investments is driving more focus on private investments. Learn more about SPACs, or special purpose acquisition companies, and other trending topics in equity capital markets.
Read moreLow-Inflation Nation
Olga Bitel untangles misconceptions about inflation and predicts its path After COVID-19.
Read moreLeveraged Finance: Debt Markets Continue March Toward Pre-COVID Levels
Lenders were looking to be aggressive in the third quarter, but only for borrowers with limited exposure to COVID-related disruptions.
Read moreCurrent Trends in Equity Capital Markets
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been one major trend in equity capital markets: the convergence of public and private. Learn how companies are utilizing access to public markets.
Read moreRetirement and Wealth Transfer: What They Mean For Shareholders
For many investors, the two most important financial goals are to fund a long and successful retirement and to transfer their wealth. With thoughtful planning and strategic management of their portfolios, investors can successfully balance their retirement and wealth-transfer goals.
Read moreLife After Employee Benefits
In addition to retirement considerations, any employee preparing to leave a job should plan for life after employee benefits.
Read moreA Back-to-School Season Like No Other I Client Focus Q3 2020
COVID-19 continues to accelerate broad structural changes in society. The reopening of schools this fall is a perfect example. Client Focus takes a look at how teachers are embracing technology to help students and the ed-tech companies seeing a big demand for their products and services.
Read moreAgTech Revolution: Patent Data, Financings, and Digitization Suggest Acceleration of Innovation for Next Decade
A rapid increase of capital flowing into AgTech, or precision ag, is leading to new technological introductions and potentially disruptive newcomers vying to capture more value from the ag supply chain.
Read moreCurrent Trends in Engineering and Manufacturing Technology
From rapid manufacturing and 3-D printing to standby generators, industrial technology companies are adjusting to growing demand.
Read moreNew Tax Breaks Target Investing in Struggling Communities
A program established under the sweeping Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 has created opportunity zones, which offer significant tax breaks to individuals and companies who invest in these selected urban and rural areas that meet income or poverty thresholds.
Read moreTechnology Opportunity in Insurance
As a $2 trillion annual market, the insurance industry is seeing significant upgrades in technology. This has created room for opportunity within the sector.
Read moreFood For Thought: COVID-19's Impact on Food and Beverage: M&A Rebound and AI Adoption
As the pandemic response enters its seventh month, we review how COVID-19 has influenced M&A activity and the adoption of artificial intelligence across supply chains in the food and beverage industry.
Read moreChina's Post-Pandemic Recovery
China's consumer, healthcare, and technology sectors are experiencing significant impacts from COVID-19. Learn how China is recovering from the pandemic from both a societal perspective and an investment standpoint.
Read morePandemic Recovery: Emerging Market Corporates
While the pandemic has tested emerging markets, the corporate asset class has shown maturity and remained resilient.
Read moreThe Heightened Importance of ESG Investing
Learn how rising risks of climate change, social injustice, and the economic crisis are impacting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.
Read moreKey Differentiators for Software Market Success
The overall impact of COVID-19 will vary across the technology industry; however, leaders that are able to differentiate themselves are likely to establish long-term growth.
Read moreState of the Consumer Recovery
COVID-19 has had profound influences on the U.S. economy, institutions, and lives and livelihoods of consumers. William Blair's consumer equity research team anticipates the recovery in consumer spending to continue, albeit probably at a less steep pace in coming months and with likely volatility as coronavirus cases begin to rise again.
Read moreThe Case for Local Currency EMD
As the U.S. dollar faces downward pressure, we believe a key beneficiary will be investors in local currency emerging markets debt.
Read moreThe Industrial Sector’s Response to the Recession
Facing the third recession in 12 years, the industrial sector is familiar with navigating periods of economic uncertainty and fluctuation in demand for products and services. In fact, many industrial companies have actively responded to the pandemic by shifting their manufacturing processes.
Read moreHow the Biotech Industry Has Adapted to the Pandemic
The biotech industry has had to adjust to recent stress placed on the healthcare system. However, biotech companies have adapted, and have an opportunity to continue to hold the attention of physicians, investors, and the larger industry community.
Read moreIdentifying Growing Large Caps in Growing Industries
In this Q&A, our large-cap growth portfolio managers discuss their pursuit of structurally advantaged companies.
Read moreThe Post-Pandemic Global Education System
While many may feel the global education industry is in turmoil, there is confidence the current work and adaptation will lead to a more effective, efficient, and equitable pedagogy.
Read more5 Themes to Expect from the Current Recession
From online migration to inventory utilization to consumer communication, major themes are beginning to emerge as a result of the current recession.
Read moreDespite Headwinds, Consolidation of Fixed Base Operators Will Continue
Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, M&A activity among airport fixed based operators will continue, albeit at a different pace and through nontraditional deal structures. We examine the key drivers of valuations in the FBO market.
Read moreGifting Appreciated Securities to a Donor-Advised Fund Program
Gifting Appreciated Securities to a Donor-Advised Fund Program
Read moreLeveraged Finance: Don't Call It a Comeback...
Leveraged finance market comes back to life after a devastating end to the first quarter, but COVID-related uncertainty clouds recovery outlook
Read moreThe Spread Over Sovereign Framework
Opportunities to create better risk-adjusted portfolios using corporate debt have emerged.
Read moreWalsh Transformed McCormick Place into COVID Alternative Care Facility | Client Focus Q2 2020
Walsh Construction transformed McCormick Place into a COVID care facility within a month. William Blair analysts also share insights on the rapid shift to a digital world and the latest on virus testing.
Read moreFederal Government's Push to Modernize IT Will Spur M&A Activity in Cloud Services
The federal government is undergoing a massive IT modernization effort to close the gap with the private sector. M&A activity in cloud services is expected to increase as strategic acquirers seek to build capabilities that align with the government's major spending priorities.
Read moreOpportunities for Technology in Real Estate
While real estate has faced challenges as a result of COVID-19, recent technology adaptation can continue to provide long-term benefits for the industry.
Read moreEmerging Markets: Exploring Opportunities and Navigating the Path Ahead
Three of our portfolio managers discuss challenges and opportunities for emerging market equity and debt investors.
Read moreSetting Economic Recovery Expectations
As shelter-in-place policies are lifted, we begin to assess the economic damage and form expectations for economic recovery. But, how short will the current downturn be, and how swift the recovery?
Read moreCOVID-19’s Effect on Global Utilities & Real Estate
Stocks in the global utilities and global real estate sectors are typically thought to be defensive in nature. While global utilities have held up their end of the bargain, global real estate stocks have been one of the worst-performing sectors as we navigate the pandemic.
Read moreIT Budgets After COVID-19
Executives and board members are going to look at digital transformation—from data analytics to chatbots—as a logical area of spending coming out of this global health crisis.
Read moreCOVID-19’s Impact on Global Industrial Infrastructure
The biggest change to impact the cyclicals industry as a result of COVID-19 will focus on safety, specifically food safety.
Read moreIndia in 2020: Active Perspectives on India's Evolution
We are excited about India's potential, but its evolution will likely be rocky.
Read moreWhat COVID-19 Means for Biotechnology
From the importance of investing to improved perception of the pharmaceutical industry, here are three observations on COVID-19’s impact on healthcare from a biotechnology equity research standpoint.
Read moreEmbracing Economic and Cultural Impacts in Healthcare
Healthcare providers that embrace and adapt to both the economic impacts and cultural impacts of COVID-19 will see greater opportunity as we emerge from this crisis.
Read moreOptimism for the Future of Medical Technology
Despite COVID-19’s unprecedented and devastating impact, there is hope for the medical technology sector on three fronts.
Read moreFood for Thought: COVID-19 Food and Beverage Update—Digital Coupons, Packaged Food M&A Outlook, and Foodservice Bright Spots
As the food industry moves beyond panic buying, retailers and food manufacturers are focused on reaching customers digitally. Large branded food companies are driving strong cash flows and are well positioned for increased M&A activity. Meanwhile, some food segments outside of packaged foods are holding strong or experiencing growth.
Read more7 Lessons Learned from COVID-19
From adapting business models to evolving education models, here are seven lessons learned from COVID-19 and the resulting economic downturn.
Read moreDigitization of Healthcare in America
The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that the ongoing digitization of healthcare in America is only accelerating. Impacts of the crisis have shown a clear call-to-action for innovation and spending in the industry.
Read moreMarket Analysis of COVID-19 on Education and Training Sector
William Blair's Investment Banking education services team discussed COVID-19's impact on business with companies, investors, and service providers across the education and training landscape.
Read moreCOVID-19’s Economic Impact on Education
The economic impact of the novel coronavirus has had a significant effect on the education sector. Early trends of the pandemic may indicate how the industry will rebound in a post-COVID-19 world.
Read moreCOVID-19’s Impact on Specialty Distribution
As a result of the novel coronavirus, we have identified immediate trends taking place in the industrial distribution space. However, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 may create areas of opportunity within the space.
Read moreHow COVID-19 is Impacting the Insurance Industry
Based on conversations with management teams and investors, we examine how the pandemic is shaping near- and longer-term market conditions for insurance brokers, P&C carriers, claims service providers, and warranty and F&I administrators.
Read moreLeveraged Finance: We're Not In Kansas Anymore
COVID-19 pandemic slams the door on discussion of when the credit cycle will end.
Read moreFood for Thought: Update on COVID-19’s Impact on the Food and Beverage Industry
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to drastically alter the food and beverage industry, presenting wide-ranging challenges and opportunities for company CEOs, employees, investors, and consumers. Retailers and food manufacturers continue to assess when pantry loading will begin to moderate. Companies across the supply chain are adapting to ensure the safety and continuity of their workforce; meanwhile, the CARES Act has added new complexity to these unprecedented times.
Read moreOpportunities and Challenges for Emerging Markets Debt Investors
Read our latest thoughts on investment opportunities.
Read moreHow COVID-19 Is Impacting Our Lives
Our new issue of Client Focus takes a special look at some of the ways the coronavirus pandemic is impacting our lives.
Read moreCOVID-19 Philanthropy Resources
Our firm is dedicated to assisting our nonprofit clients with both their social and financial returns. We are also proud to partner with our philanthropically inclined clients to help them channel their support.
Read moreCoronavirus Federal Tax Relief
Our firm is dedicated to assisting our nonprofit clients with both their social and financial returns. We are also proud to partner with our philanthropically inclined clients to help them channel their support.
Read moreAll the Vectors
COVID-19 Tracker, industry data points, literature links, and bright spots.
Read moreAgility Now: The Coming Battle for DevOps Supremacy
As the world moves to a software-centric orientation, the process by which software applications are being created and deployed is undergoing radical change.
Read moreWhy ESG Matters in Emerging Markets | February 2020
As ESG factors come to the forefront of investing, more and more issuers are taking heed—including those in emerging markets. In this Q&A, members of our emerging markets debt team discuss how they view and integrate ESG factors in a highly analyst-driven approach.
Read moreWhy We're Paying Close Attention to Digital Payments
The series of connections and interactions that take place a few seconds after you swipe your credit card or click “purchase” presents a compelling opportunity for investors.
Read moreLeveraged Finance: Investors Narrow Their Focus on Higher-Quality Borrowers
Bifurcation in the leveraged finance market became more pronounced during the fourth quarter, as investors continued their flight to quality. We examine this and other trends shaping leveraged finance markets as we head into 2020.
Read moreOnline Resale—The Next Great Disruptive Force in Retail
While resale historically has been a smaller portion of the second-hand market, the more recent emergence of online resale, including consignment platforms, has helped push the market into a faster stage of growth, poised to take greater share.
Read moreFood for Thought: 2019 Recap—On-Trend Categories Gain Momentum as Broader Dealmaking Slows
M&A activity and capital-raising in food and beverage slowed in 2019 but remained at healthy levels. The proliferation of plant-based foods and private-label brands as well as the untapped potential of e-commerce should continue to drive growth and dealmaking in 2020 across the industry.
Read moreECM Quarterly: 2019 IPO Activity Headlined by Unicorns and Alternative Listings
IPO activity slowed moderately in 2019 despite equity markets having one of their strongest years in the past decade for investors. Uber’s and Lyft’s high-profile debuts grabbed headlines—while refocusing investors’ attention on the path-to-profitability of unicorns still in the pipeline.
Read moreESG in Emerging Markets Debt
As ESG factors come to the forefront of investing, more and more issuers are taking heed—including those in emerging markets. In this Q&A, members of our emerging markets debt team discuss how they view and integrate ESG factors in a highly analyst-driven approach.
Read moreSustainable Energy Is a Growth Story for Decades
Demand by investors, businesses, governments worldwide for clean energy solutions to lower CO2 emissions drives economic growth and job creation.
Read moreTax Strategies for 2019 Year-End Planning
William Blair’s 2019 year-end planning guide is now available, highlighting 10 tax and wealth planning strategies stemming from the landmark tax reform law.
Read moreClient Focus Spotlights Innovators with a Mission to Create a Sustainable Food Chain
Innovators in the food and agriculture sectors are finding solutions to increase the world food supply through sustainable business initiatives and investments.
Read moreReal Estate Embraces Sustainable Strategies | Client Focus Q2 2019
A push to create green buildings in green cities is leading to increased product innovation, investment, and M&A in the commercial real estate sector.
Read moreChina Rising: From Smokestack to Labtech
William Blair’s Vivian Lin Thurston discusses China’s favorable market characteristics and investible themes.
Read moreInvesting for Impact: Our Take
Stephanie Braming, CFA, partner, global head of William Blair Investment Management, discusses impact investing.
Read moreSustainability: A Climate of Opportunity | Client Focus Q1 2019
Investors with a long-term view are increasingly looking at companies through the lens of sustainability, focusing on companies that are adopting business practices good for the environment and society. And companies are responding.
Read moreChanging Currents in Philanthropy | Client Focus: Fall 2018
Blockchain and cryptocurrencies present countless possibilities for global commerce and also raise challenging questions for investors as a market disruptor. Our latest thought-leadership paper helps make sense of these technologies.
Read moreM&A Interest in Corporate Training Grows as Skills Gap Widens
Evolving trends in the workplace and the learning ecosystem are changing how companies invest in talent.
Read moreClient Focus: Women in Investment Management
In investing and other arenas, women are trending higher—and their voices, together, can improve decision-making and success. In this publication, we celebrate experienced women in the asset-management industry.
Read moreBuyers Across the Construction Industry Look to Building Technologies for Growth
Conversion to differentiated, highly engineered products has led to heightened M&A activity across the building technologies sector, including LED lighting and flooring.
Read moreAutomotive Industry Update
Learn how advanced driver-assistance systems, ridesharing, and electric vehicles are driving change across the automotive industry.
Read moreInvestment Opportunities in China A-Shares
In this webcast, William Blair’s Vivian Lin Thurston discusses three investible themes in China: the rising middle class and growing domestic consumption; innovation and technology-led growth; and the secular growth of healthcare spending.
Read moreU.S. Military Pilot Shortage Creates Outsourcing Opportunities, M&A Interest for Defense Contractors
Faced with an unprecedented and growing pilot shortage, the U.S. military is expanding its outsourcing of aggressor support training and other forms of pilot training, transport, ISR, and other services, leading to intense M&A interest in these companies from potential acquirers.
Read moreFocus on Infrastructure Investment Drives Future Opportunity
At the recent P3 Conference & Expo, the Trump administration’s push for a massive infrastructure spending plan sparked new conversations about infrastructure services opportunities and public-private partnerships playing a bigger role in the delivery of new projects.
Read moreHolding Active Management to a Higher Standard
Our five autonomous investment teams explain how they define active management within their strategies.
Read moreWhy China A, Why Now?
The domestic Chinese equity markets are some of the largest and most liquid in the world, and they offer unique investment opportunities—yet they have been largely neglected by institutional investors.
Read moreAdding Science to the Art of Active Management
Portfolio Manager Ken McAtamney explains why he believes adding more science to the art of investing may help active managers compete.
Read moreInvesting Across Periods with Mahalanobis Distances
Edouard Senechal and Brian Singer propose an analytical framework to measure investment opportunities and allocate risk across time in the Journal of Investment Strategies.
Read moreStarting to Re-Risk
Having navigated a number of geopolitical events in 2016, our Dynamic Allocation Strategies team entered 2017 with a more optimistic view.
Read moreESG Investing and Portfolio Integration
Interest in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors is expanding at a rapid pace among institutional and retail investors around the world.
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