Gold has been trending upwards since the fourth quarter sell-off and is now at its highest level since 2013. In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the driving forces behind investors’ renewed interest in the yellow metal.
August saw the return of risk aversion, as President Trump… Read the article
The Fed delivered its much anticipated interest rate cut at the end of July. In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the implications for the US dollar. Could the US Treasury resort to direct FX intervention, if Fed cuts alone do not suppress dollar… Read the article
While bonds appear to be signalling an economic slowdown, equities are suggesting growth will continue. In this month’s video Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the conundrum facing investors, with mixed messages emanating from bond and stock markets.
The first half of 2019 has ended with the strongest and broadest… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the escalating trade war between the US and China, with tensions reducing risk appetite and intensifying fears of a global economic slowdown.
‘Sell in May and go away’, proved an apt saying, as global equities came under fresh pressure with… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the recent ‘buyback wave’ fuelled by corporate tax cuts. Do share buybacks only benefit company executives or do they also create long-term value for shareholders?
Equity markets extended their year-to-date rally in March, making Q1 2019 the second strongest quarter… Read the article
This March marks the 10-year anniversary of the longest bull market in history that has been ploughing on in the US since early March 2009. The S&P 500 Index has delivered a staggering 400% in total returns over the decade. In addition, the US economic cycle is the second longest… Read the article
In this month’s video Investment Director Ritu Vohora, offers some key takeaways following the latest round of quarterly earnings announcements. Results were better than feared, with actual reported earnings surprising positively, particularly in the US. The economic backdrop remains supportive but earnings growth looks set to moderate in 2019, so selectivity… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora, looks at the Fed’s dramatic shift to a more dovish stance, with an emphasis on patience. The Fed’s pause was welcomed by investors in January and is positive for risk assets. But risks remain and we are likely to see continued volatility… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the evolution of the FTSE 100 over the past 35 years and whether UK equities are a buying opportunity
As 2019 begins, it inherits a long list of risks and uncertainty from a tumultuous 2018, that ended on a painful… Watch the video
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora reflects on the return of volatility in 2018 and what it means for equities as we look ahead to the new year.
Despite a modest equity rebound in November, as we draw to the close of 2018, it’s on track to be… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at October’s frightful market sell-off and the return of bearish sentiment. Is this a healthy shake-out or the start of a more prolonged downturn?
Spooky October lived up to its frightful reputation, proving to be a turbulent month for equities, with the… Read the article
In this month’s video, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the sharp divergence in equity markets. Are we at an inflection point?
Global equity markets sit at an important juncture. They have diverged sharply this year, with the US roaring to new highs, while most non-US equity markets have faltered… Watch the video
Gold posted its fifth straight monthly drop and has fallen almost 8% YTD despite escalating trade tensions and geopolitical risks. In this month’s update, Ritu Vohora, Investment Director looks at why the precious metal seems to have lost its lustre and safe haven status.
… Watch the video
Earnings disappointments from the likes of Facebook has sparked concerns whether the stupendous growth of tech stocks can continue. After a decade wins, are the FAANGs losing their bite? In this month’s update, Ritu Vohora, Investment Director looks at whether this could be a return for… Watch the video
With World Cup fever captivating the globe and the tournament providing lots of surprises, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora, looks at the importance of having a strong offence and defence strategy when thinking about sector… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, explores the impact of rising US yields and a resurgent dollar on emerging markets. Is this a déjà vu of 2013’s ‘Taper… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, reflects on the Q1 earnings season. It’s been exceptional so far, at least compared to expectations. Are we at ‘peak… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at the threat of trade protectionism on global… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, examines the implications of February’s spike in market volatility. The bull market is likely still intact, but we are entering choppier… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at the implications for US tax reform on equities. How much is priced in already and will the new fiscal stimulus provide a boost to US… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at what effect macroeconomic events this year could have on… Watch the video
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at what has driven the ‘most hated bull market in history’ and asks how much further it has to… Read the article
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, asks whether the environment is now more favourable for active… Read the article
This year has not quite followed the script: investors were expecting improving economic growth and rising inflation to be accompanied by steeper yield curves, with the more defensive/quality stocks and so-called ‘bond proxies’ coming under pressure as bond yields rose. The strong rebound in value in H2 2016 was heralded… Read the article
In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director looks at what is driving the momentum in… Watch the video
Is the era of cheap money coming to an end? In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, reviews central banks increasingly hawkish… Watch the video
Are political surprises and uncertainty now the new normal? It could appear that way after yesterday’s general election resulted in a hung parliament after the ‘dead cert’ Conservative majority predicted just seven weeks ago. The Conservatives have emerged as the largest party and are seeking to form a minority government… Read the article
Global Q1 2017 earnings delivery was the best quarter in over six years. In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, reviews the earnings outlook for the rest of the… Read the article
M&A activity has begun 2017 on a positive note after falling in 2016. In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, considers whether the current level of activity is… Read the article
Politics is important, but no-one knows what the outcome of the Brexit negotiations will be. In this month’s update Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at what the facts are currently telling us about the UK economy and… Read the article
Global equities continued to rally in February driven by an improvement in both economic data and earnings expectations. In this month’s update, Ritu Vohora, Investment Director, looks at the prospect for earnings growth in… Watch the video
Global equities started 2017 in a buoyant mood and in this month’s update, Ritu Vohora Investment Director, looks at sustainability of the equities rally. Is this just the result of the so-called ‘Trump boost’ or do the fundamentals suggest a different… Watch the video
Stock correlations are now at their lowest level since the GFC in 2008, prompting a seismic change in the investor landscape and a more favourable, less constrained market backdrop for stock pickers. Until last year, there were long periods of high correlation – challenging for both active managers and anyone… Read the article
In the aftermath of the Brexit vote, UK interest rates and bond yields fell to their lowest levels since records began in 1694! This was mirrored by global yields and appeared to trigger a sea-change in monetary policy guidance and inflation expectations. Is this the end of the 35-year ‘bond… Read the article
With Republican candidate Donald Trump winning the race to the White House, populist sentiment and anti-establishment feelings are making their presence felt at the ballot box.
Investment Director, Ritu Vohora provides an update on the market’s reaction to the US election… Watch the video
Low-volatility strategies are supposed to insulate investors from market bouts of turbulence. But lately, that’s been flipped on its head, as the strategies have underperformed and fund flows are retreating.
In the latest in our regular video series on the equities markets, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora provides an update on… Watch the video
European markets are facing a number of challenges, not least in the region’s banking sector as recent events highlighted. However, European equities are attractively valued and there are signs of an improving economic backdrop.
In the latest in our regular video series on the equities markets, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora… Watch the video
In the US, the clock is ticking down to November’s presidential election . . . the shock Brexit result in the UK demonstrated how voters can catch the markets unaware.
In the latest of our regular video series on the equities markets, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora provides an update… Watch the video
Having grown up in Kenya and spent lots of time in the African savannah, I have always been fascinated by herd behaviour. The annual wildebeest migration sees over two million animals migrate to find greener pastures. In their quest they may be hunted, stalked and run down by larger carnivores.… Read the article
Global equity markets rallied sharply in July from their post-referendum lows, helped by better US data, supportive central banks and defensive positioning ahead of the Brexit vote.
In this, the second of our regular video series on the equities markets, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora provides an update on markets in… Watch the video
Global markets and the political and economic landscape were dominated last month by the unexpected result in the UK’s EU referendum.
In the first of a regular video series on the equities markets, Investment Director, Ritu Vohora looks at the Brexit effect and the likely outcomes for the UK market.
… Watch the video
We’ve all felt the euphoria of finding that sought-after purchase at a bargain price. And there are certainly bargains to be found in equities in the current environment. But I think investors should proceed with caution to avoid the investment equivalent of a ‘fashion faux pas’ – the bargain item… Read the article
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OKWelcome to the M&G Multi Asset Team’s Allocation blog, previously known as the Episode blog. We have changed the name of our blog to resonate better with our readers in Europe, however, the content and purpose of the blog has not changed. The Allocation blog continues to aim to provide unique market perspectives from our dedicated team of experienced asset allocators.
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