QuotedData’s economic roundup – March 2019 is a collation of recent insights on markets and economies taken from the comments made by chairmen and investment managers of investment companies – have a read and make your own minds up. Please remember that nothing in this note is designed to encourage you to buy or sell any of the companies mentioned. Kindly sponsored by Polar Capital.
Roundup
In February, stocks were quite volatile but developed markets edged up a little, extending January’s gains. Brazil gave back some performance but China was buoyed by renewed optimism of progress in trade talks with the US. Many investors came around to the idea that US rates had peaked for now; bond yields tightened.
Global
Global growth is slowing. With quantitative easing on its way out, and interest rates rising, money supply is contracting, causing global economic growth to slow down. This, coupled with Brexit uncertainties and trade tensions between the United States and China, has led to a volatile market atmosphere.
UK
The looming departure of the UK from the EU has made investors unsure of the future of the UK market, making stock valuations more attractive. Most companies have remained in good health despite Brexit. The consensus in the UK is that, as yet, the UK’s departure has not had as bad of an effect as was forecasted, yet nothing is final as at the time of writing.
Asia ex Japan
China/US trade war could be terrible if prolonged but Asia is still growing
Europe
Investors are abandoning riskier assets but that makes valuations all the more attractive
Global emerging markets
Politics is weighing on some markets and, again, a resolution to the US/China trade talks would be beneficial. Foreign investors are very underweight this part of the market
UK property
Investors are chasing solid income from areas such as supermarkets, long-let property and student accommodation
Renewable energy
Technological improvements are driving down costs for renewables. At the same time, the sector is being boosted by rising power prices
Other
We have also included comments on biotech and healthcare from BB Healthcare; on financials, from Polar Capital Global Financial; on private equity, from Pantheon International; on resources, from Riverstone Energy; and finally on technology, from Herald Investment Trust.