A constant theme for investors in 2025 has been the disconnect between what’s been happening in the real world of politics and policy, and how financial markets have responded. The chaos of constant policy shifts has to date been weathered by financial markets, with stock indices not far off all-time highs. This can only beContinue reading “Markets: Uncertainty, Volatility and Risk – What’s the Story?”
Category Archives: Risk
What do Fund Investors really want?
Those well known investment experts, Simon and Garfunkel, way back in 1970 stressed the importance of keeping the customer satisfied. It’s a point that shouldn’t be lost on investment managers. I imagine most managers think they have a clear sense of what their customers want from them. Fact-finds, for example, may give them a good senseContinue reading “What do Fund Investors really want?”
Red Flags. Are Markets Risky Now?
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?”
And the Winner is….
What’s driving the strong performance of Irish investment funds? What’s driving the winning performances amongst Irish fund managers today? And can it be sustained? Firstly, it’s been a good period to be invested in markets. Over the past year, Irish fund managers have on average returned around 20% in Global Equities and about 12 toContinue reading “And the Winner is….”
Are Investors too complacent today?
Stock markets around the world have hit record highs this year. In fact, markets have enjoyed a good run since end October last year – the US S&P index is up about 25% in that period. Principal driver was probably a benign view on where interest rates may go in 2024, coupled with a resilientContinue reading “Are Investors too complacent today?”
Beyond the Taverna
Just over 10 years ago, it’s major cities were on fire. Bank buildings were burnt and foreign owned stores set alight and looted. Mass demonstrations were violent and fatal and met with riot police and tear gas. The political system was on the verge of collapse. Today, Greece is one of the fastest growing economiesContinue reading “Beyond the Taverna”
Could there be a Chinese Credit Suisse?
The Great Wall of China dates from the 7th century BC and is over 20,000 km in length. It has had a profound military, economic and political impact on China. But at times of global financial crisis, China also seems to have had a financial “great wall” protecting it from contagion. China’s economy in the 80’s.Continue reading “Could there be a Chinese Credit Suisse?”
Ukraine War hits all key issues for Markets
The war in Ukraine, while above all a deeply sad humanitarian crisis, may impact practically every aspect of our future lives. Following on the heels of a pandemic that continues to take its toll, the war will cast a long shadow. Financial markets are one barometer of the impact beyond Ukraine’s borders. But historically, marketsContinue reading “Ukraine War hits all key issues for Markets”
Investment Funds: What’s Selling and What’s Not
It’s been another fantastic year for asset management. Sales of investment products pushed through new record levels in 2021. But what is selling? Where are investors putting their money? And what is being avoided? Sifting through Morningstar, Citywire, Lipper, Investment Association and others, can provide direction on what’s hot and what’s not in the investment landscapeContinue reading “Investment Funds: What’s Selling and What’s Not”
Still Absolutely Not So Fabulous
Three years ago on this blog, I looked at Absolute Return Funds – funds that were still very much in vogue and in demand. They were the top selling fund type in 2016 and 2017 according to Investment Association figures. These funds typically offered cash plus 4% or more and the promise was that thisContinue reading “Still Absolutely Not So Fabulous”
Investing and Covid-19
Financial markets fully reflect the current and future uncertainty that society is facing. While this is first and foremost a humanitarian tragedy, it is having daily and dramatic impacts on markets, and will leave a lasting footprint on our global economy. We see violent swings in stock markets on a daily basis. Circuit breakers (whichContinue reading “Investing and Covid-19”
Is it time to fire your fund manager?
It may be the most important decision faced by all investors be they pension trustees, family offices, multi-managers or individuals – and it’s a lot riskier than you might think. There are a range of scenarios where the trigger will need to be pulled and some are quite straight-forward. Trust: This is a key featureContinue reading “Is it time to fire your fund manager?”
House!
Are we looking at the wrong things in our financial market outlooks? If you’ve ever had the misfortune to play soccer at really, really low levels, say pub soccer or summer league, there may have been occasions when just as you’re setting up and steadying yourself to take that elegantly curved shot that will skimContinue reading “House!”
Tradewinds 