In March, the Federal Reserve lifted its 2021 growth forecast to 6.5% as the recovery accelerated. Fed optimism was confirmed in April, when the initial estimate for first-quarter growth emerged at 6.4%, leaving the economy just 1% below its pre-Covid level.
Download this articleGlobal equities rose 8.56% over the quarter to close a turbulent year 13.22% higher in sterling. Global bonds gained 3.28% in local currencies but fell 2.32% in sterling because of currency movements.
Download this articleGlobal equities rose 8.25% in local currencies over the third quarter of 2020 but currency swings reduced the gain to 3.46% in sterling. Global bonds gained 2.66% in local currencies but fell 1.88% in sterling.
Download this articleGlobal equities rose 19.81% in sterling over the second quarter of 2020, more than regaining the previous quarter’s loss to stand 0.80% higher than at the start of the year.
Download this articleThe world moved into lock-down to combat Covid-19. Hopes that the virus would be contained on the lines of Sars in 2003 gave way to panic. Equities ended the quarter down 15.87% in sterling. The economic impact will be large but should prove temporary.
Download this articleGlobal equities rose 1.46% in sterling over the final quarter of 2019, closing the year up 22.38%. Risky assets recovered from their late-2018 sell-off as the Federal Reserve changed tack, easing monetary policy through three interest rate cuts.
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