insights

Q3 2017 Essex Exchange

Posted on October 10, 2017 by
Investment Commentary, Micro Growth, Small Growth, Growth Equity, Global Life Sciences, Global Environmental Opportunities, SMID Growth

The third quarter of 2017 was an eventful one for both the stock market and for Essex Investment Management. The market continued to make new highs, with the S&P 500 Index posting a 4.0% return for the quarter (12.5% year to date). Stocks have moved higher based on continued economic growth in the U.S. coupled with a recovery in economic... Read more ›

EVs Climbing the (Model) S-Curve

Posted on September 25, 2017 by
Global Environmental Opportunities

Electric vehicles are a disruptive force that we believe will create massive change (and opportunity) in the auto industry over the next decade.  The success of Tesla (at least from a product perspective, if not yet a financial one) is the key catalyst that has triggered the electric vehicle revolution.  The fact that Tesla has received more than 400,000 reservations... Read more ›

Oil Spills

Posted on May 31, 2017 by
Global Environmental Opportunities

As I was researching the prospects of building a clean tech fund in 2005, I recall looking at Exxon's stock price, versus the Exxon Valdez oil spill. I wanted to see if the most negative environmental event ever (oil, beyond Bhopal) could move a stock price. It did not. While this most significant environmental disaster in history had little effect... Read more ›

Seizing Opportunities

Posted on May 17, 2017 by
Global Environmental Opportunities

We manage the Essex Global Environmental Opportunities Strategy (GEOS) to harness many inter-related mega-trends, based on economic and environmental stresses. China is a very good example. As the country continues to mature, domestic consumption rises, and contributes more to GDP, as basic manufacturing and related exporting gives way to more a more service and technology-led economy. Do not under-estimate China... Read more ›

The Essex Exchange – First Quarter 2017: What Will it Take for Active Management to Return to Favor?

Posted on April 19, 2017 by
Investment Commentary, Micro Growth, Small Growth, SMID Growth

BlackRock stunned the world of active management at the end of the first quarter when it announced that it was reducing investment staff and moving strategies to the quantitative side of the business. Although the numbers were relatively small, 5 out of 53 stock pickers and $6B out of $201B (Bloomberg), investment managers wondered if this was the moment that... Read more ›

Disruptive Tech Does Not Care Who is in Washington

Posted on April 7, 2017 by
Global Environmental Opportunities

We invest the Essex Global Environmental Opportunities Strategy (GEOS) to capture what we believe to be a long-term, sustainable and exploitable mega-trend, the need to continue to harness global economic growth while deploying fewer resources. GEOS invests across nine environmental themes encompassing technologies and services that are benefiting from the dynamic transition to clean energy and technology. The catalysts for... Read more ›

The Essex Exchange – Fourth Quarter 2016: The Impact of CHANGE

Posted on October 11, 2016 by
Investment Commentary, Global Environmental Opportunities

Now that we are through one of the most divisive elections, with the two most disliked candidates in our history, it may be intrusive to reflect on what effects these types of events have had in the past. Although not as devastating as a war or depression it is well to remember that while not pleasant, America has been able... Read more ›

Second Quarter 2016 GEOS Review – The Question

Posted on July 19, 2016 by
Global Environmental Opportunities

As the Essex Global Environmental Opportunities Strategy (GEOS) completed seven years of track record on June 30, 2016, we were wrapping up a comprehensive West Coast marketing trip with prospects and clients. This road show came on the heels of some significant speaking engagements, where we were generally asked to address the case for climate solutions and clean technology investing.... Read more ›

The Essex Exchange – Second Quarter 2016: How Do We Fix The Employment Conundrum

Posted on July 12, 2016 by
Investment Commentary, Micro Growth, Small Growth, SMID Growth

Even before the surprising vote on the Brexit at the end of June, the Federal Reserve was pulling back from their intentions to raise rates more than once this year as growth once again showed signs of bouncing around 2%. The inability of the US economy to accelerate past 2-2.5% growth continues to frustrate policy makers and citizens alike as... Read more ›