On the face of it, investment managers seem to be having a better time of it of late. The group has recovered from the April decline, when according to the Bank of America survey, sentiment towards the global asset management industry was at a 30 year low. The recovery since then means many are postingContinue reading “European Asset Management: Fast Forward Five Years”
Tag Archives: European Economy
Why is the US economy in better shape than Europe?
Today the European Central Bank described Europe as being fragile and vulnerable. In contrast, the US Central bank spoke of broad based strength across all categories. What are the facts? Compared to the US, Europe has higher inflation, higher unemployment, weaker stock-markets and significantly lower economic growth. And the gaps aren’t marginal – unemployment in Europe isContinue reading “Why is the US economy in better shape than Europe?”
Beyond the Beaches
Every evening, as the blue of the night darkens, the Paseo Maritimo, which winds its way from Marbella to Puerto Banus along the Spanish coastline, is once again thronged with locals and tourists, Spanish and international, as they stroll before or after dinner, incessantly chatting, catching up on the news of the day. The ambience isContinue reading “Beyond the Beaches”
A Confluence of Calamities
It sounds like some medieval curse that the Wizard Wobegone called down upon the elves of Myrtle, in response to their kidnapping of the Princess Petrushka, but this is in fact how the IMF described the current global economic and financial market situation. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said the global economy faces its biggestContinue reading “A Confluence of Calamities”
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”
Language Lessons
It has been the economic surprise of 2021 and there are still voices on both sides of the argument. Inflation has taken off as a concern for investors, consumers, producers and policy makers. The most recent number to grab headlines in the US was a staggering 6.2% – the largest since 1990. At the startContinue reading “Language Lessons”
Double Dip
While we may gaze enviously at the pace of vaccine roll-outs in the UK or the US, so too might the European economy look enviously to the US at its pace of economic growth in the face of the pandemic. While economic forecasts are being revised up for the US, with some now suggesting a strongContinue reading “Double Dip”
Markets, Media and Money Trees
Every day in stock markets seems to be a tug of war between the medical facts and their implications for further lock-downs, and the sheer scale of fiscal and monetary action being announced, or in the course of being implemented. We have had the juggernaut move from mid-March when global equity markets bounced by aboutContinue reading “Markets, Media and Money Trees”
Beyond GDP. Using other measures to fine tune our exit from economic lock-down.
At this point in the pandemic, what becomes very important is measuring the extent of economic revival as economies across the globe look to reopen and map any impact on the spread of the virus. Being able to measure economies is tough at the best of times but given the size of the shockContinue reading “Beyond GDP. Using other measures to fine tune our exit from economic lock-down.”
Contagion
Today , October 1st, we saw a battery of weak numbers from the manufacturing sectors from the US and Europe. These were the PMI’s (Purchasing Managers’ Indices) – which should give a timely and forward looking indication of the underlying health of the manufacturing base. For the US, we saw the weakest number for aContinue reading “Contagion”
Travelling and Arriving. Brexit Collateral Damage
The Brexit debate seems mired in dates and deadlines. Progress and attention span is incremental with every week seeming to be all important and then fading into memory. Red lines do little more than lose their colour. In Ireland it is never far from centre stage but even now fatigue and an October deadline haveContinue reading “Travelling and Arriving. Brexit Collateral Damage”
Tradewinds 