report by BlackRock
Results for ""
Market Outlooks
The Brexit Election: What now for the UK and the EU?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Few political earthquakes come as big as this one. Boris Johnson has defied his critics and skeptics, including many in his own Party, and redrawn the political map of the UK. It is no small triumph that will become part of British folklore. It takes the Conservative electoral support back to the Thatcher years whilst wrenching seats from Labour that had, in many cases, been regarded as untouchable since the 1930s.
Market Outlooks
Fixed Income Market Update
This piece is approved to use with clients.
U.S. economic data surprised to the upside in December with strong employment and growth results and the Fed remained on hold as expected. Progress on tariffs and U.K. election results lowered geopolitical noise for the time being. These developments led to continued improvement in risk sentiment.
Market Outlooks
Low volatility equities: Why now, why active?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Against the backdrop of a continuing bull market in equities, investor uncertainty has increased with a number of key economic and geopolitical risks, resulting in rising market volatility.
Investors have logically sought to de-risk* portfolios, and given the low interest rate environment, they have rotated significant amounts of money into defensive equities, resulting in stretched valuations for certain pockets of these stocks. At the same time, equity upside remains attractive as accommodative policy and the potential for trade resolution between the U.S. and China could support future gains. As a result, investors now face three competing objectives: how to de-risk portfolios, without overpaying for defensive equities, while maintaining equity upside.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: The US-China trade deal presents a paradox for markets
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Last week, the US and China signed their Phase 1 trade agreement. This trade deal is a paradox — in my view, it is both inconsequential and yet extremely important.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: What could the US-Iran conflict mean for investors?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
After the US killing of Qassim Suleimani on Jan. 3 and Iran’s retaliatory, non-lethal missile strike against two US military facilities in Iraq on Jan. 7, the situation appears to have de-escalated. However, investors continue to worry about the potential for this conflict between the US and Iran to worsen. We do not believe that a war is likely at this juncture, but it is important to understand the potential effects that such a worst-case scenario could have on the markets.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: Amid a host of central bank developments, one constant remains: global market pressure
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Four central banks revisit policy, plus two new reports point to a continued global slowdown
Market Outlooks
Growth vs. Value in global developed markets
This piece is approved to use with clients.
Since the mid-1970s, value stocks have generally outperformed growth stocks in developed markets around the globe. The current cycle of growth’s outperformance, starting in 2007, has had both the longest duration and highest magnitude in history.
Market Outlooks
Global Corporate Debt
This piece is approved to use with clients.
US Dollar denominated corporate debt has the highest yield and makes up 66% of global issuance, underscoring its attractiveness in this low rate environment.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: Beyond the yield curve - Other economic indicators to watch
This piece is approved to use with clients.
These metrics can provide a bigger picture of the US economy, but tariffs remain the ‘wild card’.
Market Outlooks
BMO International Insights - Crazy global environment merits cautious approach
The IMF believes the world has too much debt, trade wars are destabilizing and anti-growth, monetary policy has run its course and productivity growth remains comfortably below historic norms.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: The making of a classic suspense movie shows us that confidence can’t trump reality
This piece is approved to use with clients.
One of my all-time favorite movies is “Jaws,” an iconic American summer movie about a great white shark that terrorizes a seaside New England resort town. Maybe it’s because I like the musical score, or maybe it’s because I like hearing my last name interspersed throughout the movie (a particularly noteworthy line is “Hooper drives the boat, Chief”), but I can be found watching the movie at least several times each summer.
Market Outlooks
Weekly Market Compass: What does the fragmented parliamentary election mean for Europe?
This piece is approved to use with clients.
All eyes were on Europe this past week. First, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation. Then the European parliamentary elections took place. Here are the key takeaways from a momentous week for the European continent.