Market trends

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index gains 2.5% in dollars in August, lifting this year’s advance to 17.5%, amid economic optimism and expectations that interest rates will remain low. The VSTOXX® index, the gauge of European equity volatility, remains higher than it was before COVID-19 hit financial markets in the first quarter of 2020.

The futures are the world’s most popular sustainability-focused derivatives and have seen increasing demand as investors and traders turn to ESG-compliant instruments to hedge and manage portfolios. The ESG derivatives space at Eurex has beaten records in daily and monthly traded contracts this year.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index gains 1.6% in dollars in July as investors’ optimism about economic and earnings growth outweighs concerns that a new variant of the COVID-19 virus may slow down the recovery. Asian stocks fall as China tightens regulation over some industries.

The world’s share of responsibly managed assets continued to expand in the two years through 2019, according to one of the most comprehensive industry studies. US-based ESG assets jumped 42% during the period. In Europe, sustainable assets dropped amid higher standards of what constitutes an ESG investment.

The first annual ESG survey from the Index Industry Association (IIA) shows asset managers are preparing for sustainability principles to take a more significant role across their portfolios. It also points to significant challenges including the lack of data standardization, and says indices have a critical role to play in facilitating the adoption of ESG strategies.

An annual study by IHS Markit and the German Investor Relations Association reveals a diverse and global structure in DAX shares ownership. In a volatile 2020, US- and UK-based institutional investors increased their presence in the German benchmark’s stock universe, while domestic investors continued to pull out.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index gains 1.5% in dollars in June and jumps 4.6% in euros following a rally in the greenback. Investors turn to Momentum stocks during the month but snub high-dividend shares. Equity volatility continues its march lower.

The contracts are part of an expanding family of sustainability-focused listed derivatives designed to tap increasing demand as investors turn to ESG-compliant instruments to manage portfolios.

Global index rises 4.5% in month amid ongoing expectations for a post-pandemic economic recovery. Gains are led by US and European markets, and by Momentum stocks, which came back in favor after a lackluster first quarter.

STOXX Global 1800 Index advances 3.3% in month amid ongoing expectations for a post-pandemic economic recovery. Investors continue their switch into Value stocks, and away from the Momentum style.

STOXX Global 1800 Index gains 2.4% in month amid continued hopes for a post-lockdown economic recovery. Value stocks, banks’ shares and dividend strategies are among the month’s standout performers.

As a New Year starts, investors in China can this year add rising markets and a growing economy to the list of things to be optimistic about.