Even after the late-year “Santa” rally, all-in yields in many credit sectors are near multi-decade highs, making it tempting to portfolio managers to have overweight credit allocations to maximize the yield opportunity. But credit spreads are relatively narrow and the distinct risk of an economic or financial market recession looms eventually, so managers might opt to underweight credit sectors.  

In this edition of Market Watch, Shamik Dhar, Chief Economist at BNY Mellon Investment Management, explores the persistent theme of divergence from 2023 continuing into 2024. Dhar delves into facets, including the weakening US labour market and geopolitical tensions around the Red Sea, that might mitigate the potential for a US soft landing.

Energy transition: Beyond renewables

Portfolio managers Sam Morse and Marcel Stotzel review the challenges and complexities facing investors in Continental European equity markets. As the outlook across the region remains precariously balanced, they discuss why a balanced portfolio of sustainable dividend payers with strong pricing power has the potential to navigate a challenging macro backdrop.

Recession risks are rising and valuations in pockets of the equity market are starting to look stretched. In this environment, Fidelity Global Dividend Fund portfolio manager Dan Roberts outlines the benefits of valuation discipline and focusing on quality dividend-payers that have the resilience to weather a range of economic scenarios.

As abhorrent as recent events in the Middle East have been, financial markets have, for now, taken these events in their stride, with some flight to safety in public markets, but fairly mild reactions overall.

Five things to know about cash, saving and investing

We all know Asia is the largest continent on earth, both in terms of land area and population. However, economically, the region stands out too, with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, including China, India and Indonesia. According to the International Monetary Fund, Asia is estimated to contribute around 70% of global growth this year.