The S&P 500 is at an all-time high and three firms are now in the one trillion-dollar club. Surely this is an indication of the ultimate peak in investor euphoria? The same level of “irrational exuberance” witnessed at the height of the tech bubble and pre-crisis? Margin debt suggests not.… Read More »
The latest chapter of turbulence in the Middle East will undoubtedly lead to insurers and reinsurers particularly in lines such as hull, war, piracy, terrorism, cargo and construction raising premiums, renegotiating terms of cover and introducing riders and endorsements to policies to reflect the increased risks of trading in the… Read More »
The MSCI US equity index delivered a total return of more than 250 percent in the 2010s. A cocktail of record low rates, stock buybacks, and balance sheet expansion has supposedly intoxicated the market and some have predicted that a mega hangover is due. But current data does not appear… Read More »
Hefty risk perception was a key feature of 2019, as the White House’s trade war and systematic reprisals from China fueled the prospect of a watershed moment and a long-lasting shock on economic activity right throughout the year. This scenario was borne out as world growth did take a downward turn, and manufacturing output dipped in most large countries (US, euroarea, Japan) or even suffered a serious slowdown (China). However, this new situation does not fully reveal the US President’s intentions. Looking across the pond, Donald… Read More »
Investors may have felt this year’s market environment has come straight from a horror film. Even the bravest of investors have been spooked by a combination of elevated political uncertainty, disappointing global growth, subdued momentum in corporate profits, and concerns that policymakers are “out of ammo”. Nevertheless, diversified portfolios such… Read More »
We think 2020 will be characterised by muted global growth, a slowing US economy and continued uncertainty about how monetary policy and politics will move markets. Central banks will keep using the policy levers at their disposal to try to spark economic growth, but we question how much room they… Read More »
Rather than holding a definitive vote on Prime Minister Johnson’s Brexit deal on 19 October, MPs in the House of Commons withheld their approval for the deal as insurance against a “no deal” Brexit on 31 October. In response, PM Johnson requested an Article 50 extension, but asserted that his… Read More »
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), under its new Chairdigging into the details of the report, the interesting part comes from the positive effect of monetary stimulus. According to the IMF, global growth would be 0.5% lower in both 2019 and 2020 without such initiatives. Put differently, this means major central banks have been successful in… Read More »
Aximetria, the Swiss fintech company that promotes banking without borders, announces support for stablecoins – Gemini USD and EURS – in its next-gen finance asset management app. Unlike other European neo-banks offering traditional currencies only to Europeans, Aximetria continues to adhere to the policy of providing high-quality, stable and secure… Read More »
CyberScout, the gold standard in identity and data defence services, is pleased to announce two new global partnerships that will introduce accessible cyber insurance solutions in Southeast Asia. Individuals and small to medium-size businesses will receive CyberScout’s award-winning, best-in-class services through a robust and innovative distribution model designed to reach… Read More »
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