AXA IM Select’s Lorna Denny sat down with Colin Graham from Robeco, to provide a clearer idea of what multi-asset investing means and why it can make sense for investors looking to build a balanced portfolio.

The Fed’s rate cutting cycle has kicked off, a soft landing still looks likely and China has finally pressed the stimulus button. It feels like we could almost be set for a Goldilocks scenario.

It’s historically a tricky month for equity markets, and this September is no exception. Rising concerns over US growth, sluggish data from China and the geopolitical backdrop have seen risk aversion come to the fore.

Any thoughts of a quiet summer were quickly dispelled by gyrating financial markets in early August. Confidence evaporated, causing a sharp spike in volatility, before markets rebounded to close a volatile week almost flat.

Markets remain in high spirits, with increasing confidence in a Fed rate cut in September. But elsewhere the backdrop is far from certain, with political risks rising in the US and Europe and a great deal riding on the second quarter earnings season.

AXA IM Select’s Lorna Denny sat down with J.P. Morgan’s Vincent Juvyns to discuss the aim of diversification in relation to investments and how this can help to keep a portfolio resilient during market ups and downs.

So far, 2024 has proved a little more complicated than markets were expecting. Jay Powell, chair of the US Federal Reserve warned consistently that US rates could stay ‘higher for longer’, and indeed they have, but elsewhere rate cuts could be imminent.

From six to two cuts… or even none. US rate cut expectations during 2024 have collapsed. Markets may now need to accept bigger swings in market sentiment.

Markets started the year in confident mood, betting that the US Federal Reserve would take the lead on interest rate cuts, with as many as six cuts in 2024. Those hopes have since faded and forecasts of a first cut in June are looking more uncertain. 

‘Fear of missing out’ has been a major catalyst driving markets higher in recent months. As we approach the end of the first quarter of 2024, we consider where that leaves the outlook for asset prices.

AXA IM Select’s Lorna Denny sat down with Patrick Brenner from Schroders to discuss the concept of investment risk, the different categories of risk investors should be aware of, as well as how these risks can be mitigated in a diversified portfolio. Concise and highly informative, it highlights some essential issues for consideration as well as providing investors with a helpful checklist.

It has been said many times that the last mile of disinflation is the most difficult. With markets betting on the timing of the first cut in interest rates, every monthly inflation number is both eagerly anticipated and closely analysed for clues.