Our Investment Commentary for Q4 2016 (1 October – 31 December 2016)
Developed equity markets have performed strongly in Q4 and continuing sterling weakness against the dollar has inflated overseas returns for UK investors.
Developed equity markets have performed strongly in Q4 and continuing sterling weakness against the dollar has inflated overseas returns for UK investors.
The Summer and early Autumn have seen some pleasing returns for UK investors, as continued sterling weakness has flattered overseas returns.
Global markets experienced substantial volatility in Q2 as they continue to grapple with a number of economic and political issues. Although the main focus for
Global equities experienced a sharp sell-off at the start of 2016, reflected by the FTSE World index which fell 12% in January. Due to weak
Markets experienced considerable volatility in 2015, which saw significant weakening of commodity prices driven by a slowing Chinese economy and, consequently, concerns over global growth.
Global markets were extremely volatile this quarter as concerns over China’s slowing economy became more pronounced. The impact was particularly strong on emerging and Asian
Q2 saw global equities fall by over 5% in sterling terms. Concerns surrounding Greece’s debt repayments and the future of the Eurozone weighed on world markets, particularly towards the end of the quarter.
It has been a very good quarter for investors, despite the downside risks. Global equities were given a huge boost in January as the ECB announced its significant quantitative easing (QE) program which began in March. This helped the FTSE World Index gain over 5% in Q1.
World markets experienced a very volatile quarter which included a sharp sell-off in equities at the beginning of October. However, sentiment quickly returned, reflected by a gain of 4.13% for the FTSE World Index in Q4.
Given that the third quarter of the year was a period plagued with geopolitical tension, the FTSE World index delivered a surprising gain of 2.7%.
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