Institutional Asset Management News and Insights
From caution to cuts: how major Central Banks are adjusting their strategies
Market expectations had moved rapidly in the final few weeks of 2023, discounting almost seven rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve (Fed) in 2024. Our base case was more cautious, and the market has now rebalanced, discounting three 0.25% cuts which is consistent with...
Navigating inflation in 2023
In the second half of 2023, there was a significant drop in both headline and core prices across most economies, although a bumpier ride in the first half was inevitable and US inflation has surprised marginally on the upside over the past couple of months. However,...
Economic forecast: US optimism vs. European concerns
The economic performance in the US has been encouraging, with indicators pointing towards a soft-landing scenario - robust job growth, continuing support from fiscal policy, higher real income growth (largely a function of lower inflation) and a positive wealth impact...
ANDPAPERS Q2 2024 | DIVERGENT PATHS: 2024 Economic Odyssey
Since the US Fed started raising rates in 2022 to tackle inflation, the US economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience. This resilience can be attributed to several factors: Consumers have benefited from tight labour markets and amassed significant cash reserves...
Navigating the year of transition
Productivity, Labour Markets, and Central Banks Amongst others, the underlying issues that matter to the trajectory of growth include productivity, investment and labour market trends. The US is seeing higher productivity, but it seems to be an exception. There is...
The Central Banks’ key role in this year of transition
Major Central Banks hit the pause button in the final quarter of 2023, providing a positive fillip to markets. However, the Fed then went a few steps further - acknowledging that the bond markets had accurately anticipated a shift to lower interest rates. The FOMC...
2024: The Year of Shifts
The post-Covid economic cycle was always likely to move into a ‘Year of Transition’ and it increasingly appears that 2024 will be that year. But what do we mean by that? Put simply, policymakers and investors will have to determine whether we are likely to gradually...
ANDPAPERS Q1 2024 | THE YEAR OF TRANSITION
The global economy was remarkably resilient in 2023. Key drivers being consumer spending, a robust labour market, and increased business capital spending. For investors, the journey was more challenging: major central banks, in their efforts to combat inflation,...
Staying close to the shore: Embracing patience and a low-risk equities portfolio
The role of a good asset manager is to protect and grow a client’s money. An obvious statement maybe, but one worth making – particularly when it comes to discussing equities. Stocks are often the most glamourous, headline-grabbing part of the investment universe....
Is China imploding or is the worst behind us now?
We have had zero direct Chinese exposure in London & Capital asset allocation whilst we waited for the myriad of issues to be suitably resolved. Of course, there is indirect exposure via most global companies selling into China - either receiving inputs into their...
Consumer Outlook and Inflation Projections in the US Economy
First of all, we look at what would shift a soft-landing in the US into a recession, the consumer remains pivotal in this debate, but the picture is mixed across major economies. The risk of a consumer contraction is most likely in Europe, UK and Canada. Japan also...
“Higher for longer”: A warning or the new reality?
The Federal Reserve Chairman has been relentless in recent weeks, banging the drum for “higher for longer” interest rate policy. This has begun to undermine the Treasury market despite generally supportive economic data including better Personal Consumption...