Market trends

The STOXX Global 1800 benchmark, up 4.6%, had its best month this year in November. Momentum stocks and digital assets were among the best performers in the aftermath of the US election.

The German blue-chip benchmark climbs to a record even amid a gloomy economic picture at home. Sales of AI and industrial parts are among drivers of corporate earnings growth for DAX component stocks.

The STOXX Digital Asset Blue Chip index has gained 42% since the outcome of the November 5 US elections. Optimism about lighter regulation and a more open approach to the sector from the incoming administration has lifted all index constituents.

The STOXX World AC benchmark declined 2.3% last month, its first monthly retreat since April. Earnings disappointments from high-flying technology companies and rising bond yields were among reasons that drove investors to take profits from this year’s rally.

Arun Singhal, global head of product management at STOXX, speaks to ETF Stream Editor Theo Andrew about why flows are returning to European equities, and the role indices play.

The STOXX World AC benchmark gained 2.4% last month, taking its third-quarter gain to 6.7%. Almost half of market participants forecast the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates by another 75 basis points before year-end.

The STOXX World AC benchmark rose 2.6% in August, recovering from a drop of 6.5% in the month’s first three sessions. Investors forecast the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in September.

The EURO STOXX 50 Volatility-Balanced index, which combines an investment in stocks with a dynamic allocation to volatility futures, jumped 8% on August 5 amid a broad equities sell-off. The volatility strategy has returned an average of 3.2 percentage points a year above its benchmark since 2006 as tail-risk protection paid off.

The global benchmark rose 1.7% in July, with all the advance coming in the month’s first half. Weaker output and inflation data in the US boosted forecasts that the Fed may start easing monetary policy as early as September.

Driven by strong domestic growth, the STOXX India All Cap has extended its bullish run this year, climbing 84% since the start of 2021. By comparison, the STOXX Emerging Markets All Cap index has fallen 2.1% over the same period.

The global benchmark rose 2.3% last month for a 2024 advance of 11.6%. It was the index’s seventh monthly advance in eight months as investors expect US interest rates to start dropping this year, aiding the global economy.

Buoyant markets and the ongoing shift to index investments put European ETFs on track for a tenth straight year of net inflows. Funds tracking the EURO STOXX 50 attracted USD 2bn in the first five months of 2024.