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Principal Global Investors has released its Economic Insights for the month of September. Writing in the note to investors, Chief Global Economist, Dr Bob Baur, said that the world economic slowdown refuses to fade, however, economic momentum feels better. The tug-of-war “For some months, the world economy has seemed at a crossroads. With industrial activity stagnating, confidence downcast, […]

After major indices on US stock markets hit all-time highs in July, the plunge in bond yields is bringing increasingly agitated warnings about worsening growth and recession. Writing in a blog, Principal Global Investors Chief Global Economist, Dr Bob Baur said, “this agonising may simply mean that we are in the worst of the slowdown. […]

Interest rates: near a low in long-bond yields  “The eight-month plunge in 10-year U.S. treasury bond yields is likely over. Yields will slowly work higher into year-end. At some point, rising interest rates will become a problem for stock and credit markets, likely late next year or in 2021.  “For 35 years, yields on 10-year U.S. […]

Principal’s Chief Global Economist, Dr Bob Baur, looks at how global markets fared in March. World economic outlook: green shoots “Stock markets plunged in December as evidence began to accumulate that a recession might be around the corner. Growth in China slowed significantly throughout 2018 and the fourth quarter rebounds in Europe and Japan were […]

Market outlook: Is the monster rally over? “Last month, I suggested the odds favored another market downdraft, something approaching December’s lows. Didn’t happen; stocks kept roaring higher. The S&P 500 Index soared 6.6% in December, 7.9% in January, and 3.0% in February, for a total 18.4% compound gain since Christmas. That’s an amazing run. Of […]