This issue will be largely concerned with the Coronavirus both for its anticipated role as a catalyst for substantial market volatility and the lingering misperceptions about its nature. Our comments this month are by necessity more short-term in their orientation than is typical because of the emergence of the Coronavirus. Its effects will almost certainly be significant and will, in turn, influence the performance of capital markets once the pandemic passes. Investors’ response to this threat will play a material role in determining their long-term investment results....
The decade is starting on a positive note for investors, with most global equity markets ending 2019 on a bullish note. Supporting further upside for markets is, as we have discussed in these pages, an apparent commitment by central banks and governments as they implement both monetary and fiscal measures to support the global economy and postpone the next recession. There is a great deal of concern by central banks about the potential severity of the next recession/bear market, given the fragile underpinnings of the global economy. We can, therefore, expect....
The major challenge facing global economies and capital markets is how to cope with the current slowing of the world economy in an era when central banks, having largely used their traditional tools in addressing the financial crisis of 2008 and its aftermath, have a diminished capacity to combat a recession. How the current long-lived economic expansion will be extended, given the tenuous nature of the global economy and markets, has been much on our mind. We believe we have identified the strategy that will be used to avert a recession in the short-term and provide capital markets with one final leg higher....
Several converging issues should make the headlines this month, with Brexit being top of mind for your editor. The deadline of March 29th is fast approaching, with markets reflecting a belief that an extension to negotiations will be sought, with the possibility of a second referendum being held. This outcome was discussed in past issues and still seems the most likely. However, one shouldn’t discount incompetence on the part of the May government and a “hard” Brexit with no deal remains a possibility. We reiterate our view that it remains premature to take meaningful positions in either the FTSE or the pound until after a resolution to the deadline....
The events of the past month confirmed the ongoing deterioration in the global geopolitical environment and remind us of the ultimately negative consequences for the global economy and, hence, markets. The absence of the United States from its traditional role as leader of the West and global “policeman” has emboldened authoritarian regimes to take provocative actions they would not have considered previously for fear of retribution. This trend is troubling and symptomatic of…..
A basic premise at the Global Investment Letter is that global investment returns are a product of the intersection of economic, political and historic influences. The relative importance of the respective inputs will, of course, change over time. It is our view that all three influences will assert themselves over the next 10-15 years, producing significant economic and geopolitical change. It will be a challenging environment for all, but also one of opportunity for the alert investor. The geopolitical events of the past month have only served to confirm our premise. We are spoiled for choice on where to start...
