In assessing the threats posed by the coronavirus outbreak, governments, central banks, companies and investors must consider scenarios that range from short-lived disruption to a persistent threat with profound implications. All that’s certain is that coronavirus will have a significant impact on the global economy and financial markets – in the short term at least.
Coronavirus - where have we got to, and how do we see the economic and market landscape from here? After a turbulent few weeks in markets, Richard Dunbar talks to Katy Forbes, Head of Absolute Return in our Multi-Asset Team and Jeremy Lawson, our Chief Economist and Head of the ASI Research Institute.
The UK equity market is one of the longest-established equity markets in the world. A FTSE listing is seen as a badge of honour for companies worldwide. And yet, as we continue into 2020, UK equities can lay a reasonable claim to being one of the most misunderstood asset classes. This offers a compelling opportunity for long-term investors.
The world is rapidly changing. Three forces will shape the future: technology, demographics and sustainability. The cost of such a transformation will not be cheap. However, private markets are uniquely placed to help fund and build this new world – creating numerous opportunities for investors.
Coronavirus continues to cast a dark shadow over the global economy, as the number of new cases outside China continues to accelerate.
Wuhan is capital of China’s Hubei province and the epicentre of the current outbreak of novel coronavirus COVID-19. The virus is understood to have originated in a seafood market in the city.
It’s been a bumpy – but ultimately positive – start to the year for emerging markets (EM). Investors had a lot to digest, from the volatile US-China trade war to numerous elections around the world. The questions are: what do we expect for the remainder of 2019? And what will this mean for investors?
What is goodwill? In the accounting sense, it’s an intangible asset that arises as a result of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Essentially, goodwill is the difference between the price paid for a company and its book value. It is recorded on the buyer’s balance sheet, and its value must be tested each year and adjusted accordingly. Any change results in a write-down of this value, which is recorded as an impairment – effectively, a loss.
When most people think of industrial logistics buildings, factors like energy efficiency, technology and carbon innovation don’t usually spring to mind.
Property ESG standards: how tenants, landlords and the planet can happily co-exist
Over the past decade, yields on many developed market bonds have declined materially. In some markets, bond yields have even turned negative with investors effectively paying for the privilege of holding bonds. It is therefore not surprising that many investors have looked for alternative sources of income that also provide protection from rising inflation and interest rates.
The demand for environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies in real estate continues to grow. Investors are becoming increasingly focused on responsible practices and how these are integrated into funds.
Many investors have historically viewed emerging market (EM) equities as a source of growth, with income a distant consideration. We believe this oversight is a mistake, and that a dividend-focused approach to investing could help boost long-term total returns.
So far, 2018 has been a difficult year for emerging market (EM) assets, which in the last few months have fared significantly worse than their counterparts in developed markets. This has been due mainly to worldwide issues but also country-specific political uncertainty. Many investors are now asking if the sell-off presents a buying opportunity – or are there reasons to remain wary?
It is fair to say that forward guidance doesn’t enjoy a good reputation in the UK. The policy, introduced with some fanfare by Mark Carney on his arrival as Governor of the Bank of England, was meant to give greater clarity about the path of interest rates.
When it comes to Australia, our view within the equities team is one of cautious optimism. What many investors don’t know is that Australia’s economy is heavily reliant on China. In fact, we believe the country’s dependence on China as a trading partner and as a major influence on commodity prices naturally makes China its greatest vulnerability.
Japan has had a sobering 2018 so far, with both growth and inflation coming in below expectations. Is this likely to trigger a policy response, or should we expect more of the same?
2018 has already seen its fair share of surprises. Nearly at the mid-point, we’ve seen a shift (even if temporarily) in US-North Korea relations that was deemed unbelievable just six months ago; the consensus around synchronised global growth has weakened; the US is moving towards protectionism; and the ZTE debacle crushed the myth of world-beating Chinese innovation.
Global equity markets have endured a torrid time in the first few months of 2018. The downturn has reached all regions, as concerns about higher interest rates and a potential trade war between the US and China have escalated. But smaller-cap equities have proven relatively resilient during this turbulent period.
US companies had an excellent beginning to 2018, as shown by their strong first-quarter corporate profits. European businesses, on the other hand, had a less auspicious start, a fact also reflected in their earnings reports.