Index / ETFs

A rebound in global stocks this year faltered in May as negotiations for a trade truce between the US and China appeared to break down and concerns emerged that the global economic expansion may hit a snag.

Global stocks extended their positive streak in April, adding a fourth month, with some regional benchmarks reaching record highs, as the outlook for the world’s economy improved and a majority of companies’ earnings beat estimates.

Global stocks wrapped up their best calendar quarter in over eight years in March, as the Federal Reserve halted its interest-rate increases, and expectations strengthened for a trade truce between the US and China.

Stocks rose for a second consecutive month in February, with the STOXX® Global 1800 Index delivering its best two-month period since October 2010, as political and trade concerns eased. 

STOXX has received two new awards for its products and work with the structured-products industry. Structured Retail Products (SRP) awarded STOXX the mention of ‘Best Index Provider’ at this year’s SRP Europe Conference.

December’s severe losses were followed by an equally sharp rebound in January of the new year, as investors returned to battered markets encouraged by positive macroeconomic news flow.

The years-long equity bull market abruptly came to a near-end in December as concerns about a global economic slowdown and trade disruptions built up.

Equity investors hoping to recoup last year’s losses may be in for a long wait, if annual forecasts from strategists – already jarred by December’s market sell-off – are anything to go by.

The launch of the DAX® Equal Weight Index this month presents a good opportunity to review the virtues of an equal-weight equity strategy.

October’s market move is the type of event that can determine a portfolio performance for the entire year. The sharp pullback in stocks has underscored the benefits of a low-volatility strategy: holding the less risky parts of the market has often been worth the price of missing out on the beta rallies.

Equity markets sold off by the most in six years in October, amid investor concerns that rising bond yields and a slowdown in China will stymie global growth.

Global equity indices rose in September, helped by a continued bull market in US shares, a multi-month jump for Japanese stocks and a mild rebound in Europe.