A “Brexit” would potentially undermine trading and investment decisions and the fiscal outlook for the UK. These are obviously important considerations for the markets, not least because UK’s large trade deficit of 3.7% with the EU creates imbalances in UK’s balance of payment, which may give the UK less leverage… Read More »
ESG factors can have a material impact on long-term investment outcomes. Focus on factors that should be considered in the selection of the companies and in the construction of a portfolio In a contest of low interest rates and high market volatility, it is important that investors not expose themselves… Read More »
US central bank’s rate-setting committee keeps interest rates unchanged, one dissenting voice After increasing key interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade in December 2015, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) kept the federal funds rate unchanged at its 16 March meeting. There was one dissenting voice… Read More »
After last December’s meeting when Mario Draghi’s announcements disappointed the market, expectations were high for the March 10th meeting As it turned out, the markets didn’t know quite how to react. After an initial +3% rally triggered by Mario Draghi’s first comments, the Euro Stoxx closed down 1.4%. Futures continued… Read More »
Tight yields on corporate bonds, negative interest rates policies, clustering volatility and correlation on equity markets and omnipotent Central Banks created an extremely challenging environment for returns generation. In this context, private debt can offer an attractive alternative for patient investors. Why private debt is set for a comeback and… Read More »
Comments on ECB meeting and global fixed income themes from the BlackRock’s Global Unconstrained Bond Team The ECB attempted to exceed market expectations with a strong set of non-conventional monetary policy measures but then disappointed the market on forward guidance around further interest rate reductions – effectively suggesting that interest… Read More »
Mitul Patel -
The European Central Bank (ECB) have very much taken the ‘kitchen sink’ approach, surprising market expectations in a variety of ways, not least an expansion of the asset purchase programme The European Central Bank have very much taken the ‘kitchen sink’ approach, surprising market expectations in a variety of ways,… Read More »
Investors are currently pondering three questions: Is the current market assessment correct? Can the market create its own reality? Or are there buying opportunities? Has it come, the big reversal? Let me counter with another question: Would you be taken by surprise if several sunny days were followed by a… Read More »
In the fourth quarter, emerging market (EM) assets posted modest to flat gains. This left investors, many of whom were hopeful for a year-end rebound, disappointed The recovery in EM was stalled by both macro and country-specific factors: Selloff in US high-yield bonds dampened investor sentiment Spreads widened, driven by… Read More »
The ECB last week, in several statements, took the opportunity to clarify bank capital requirements. We think this was a conscious effort to provide a higher degree of certainty to the market, post the aggressive bank sell-off earlier this year. The Director-general at ECB micro-prudential supervision, Mr. Korbinian Ibel, stated… Read More »
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