The strength of the US dollar relative to other currencies over the past year has heightened investor awareness of currency effects. Currency fluctuations are an important consideration for global investors in both fixed income and equity investments and can have a profound effect on performance. Yvette Klevan, Portfolio Manager/Analyst on Lazard’s Global Fixed Income team, provides an overview of currency valuation drivers and discusses the effect of foreign exchange on bonds. Robert Failla, Client Portfolio Manager on Lazard’s Global and International Equity platforms, addresses the important considerations for understanding the link of currency fluctuations and equity markets.

Featured Speakers

Yvette Klevan

Managing Director, Portfolio Manager/Analyst

Yvette Klevan is a Portfolio Manager/Analyst on the Global Fixed Income team. She began working in the investment field in 1982. Prior to joining Lazard in 2002, Yvette was a Senior Portfolio Manager with Offitbank. Previously she worked at Bank of America, Chase Manhattan Bank and Aramco Services Company. Yvette has an MBA in Finance and Management Information Systems from the University of Houston and a BBA in Mechanical Engineering Route to Business from the University of Texas.

Robert A. Failla, CFADirector, Client Portfolio ManagerRobert Failla is a Director and Client Portfolio Manager on the International and Global Equity platforms. As well, he is a member of the Global, International, and European Small Cap Equity teams. He began working in the investment field in 1993. Prior to joining Lazard in 2003, Robert was a Portfolio Manager with AllianceBernstein. He has an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business and a BA (Hons) from Harvard. Robert is currently on the Board of Trustees at Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ.