Maybe it’s time for investors to be careful. The latest batch of annual outlook pieces from investment managers in the main stick to the tried and tested views of being cautiously optimistic, based on lower interest rates and still positive growth in economies. I agree we are likely to see somewhat lower interest rates and reasonable growthContinue reading “Red Flags. Are Markets Risky Now?”
Category Archives: Monetary Policy
Bonds: Boring or Ballistic? Time to think again?
For many investors, bonds are a substantial part of their allocation. They are seen as a stable asset class, offering some balance with other assets and reduced volatility – generally not meant to be the “exciting” part of the portfolio. Most Balanced Managed funds here in Ireland have an allocation to fixed income. I lookedContinue reading “Bonds: Boring or Ballistic? Time to think again?”
Does Debt Matter?
The amount of debt that governments owe gets called out on a regular basis by commentators and analysts as one the key economic risks that we face. The IMF has been to the fore talking about the fiscal and financial risks of a high debt, slow growth world. In their view, higher long term interestContinue reading “Does Debt Matter?”
Interest rates will fall in 2024…..but when?
2024 will provide some relief for borrowers and potential borrowers as interest rates fall. But the question is how long they may have to wait, and how much should they expect, in terms of a reduction. Last night’s comments from the chief at the US Central Bank suggest we may have to wait a bitContinue reading “Interest rates will fall in 2024…..but when?”
Understanding Christine Lagarde
Central Bankers: Financial markets hang on their every word. Speeches are parsed and pored over to gain the smallest clue as to where policy may be headed. And if we’re close to a peak in interest rates, with an extended period of little change ahead of us, what Central Bankers say may matter more, thanContinue reading “Understanding Christine Lagarde”
Tradewinds 