State Street Global Advisors-2016 ETF & Investment Outlook
December 7, 2015--Key Points
In 2016, we expect continued low growth, subdued inflation and generally accommodative monetary policy.
Risks are skewed to the downside as fragile markets could quickly turn volatile on a single bad data point or negative news event.
In equities, we favor areas of growth with macro-economic tailwinds such as the Eurozone, Japan, and financial and consumer related sectors in the US.
In fixed income, we favor taking a balanced approach with a mix of interest rate and credit sensitive sectors such as high yield and senior loans.
THE BIG PICTURE
Investing in a "Low and Slow" Growth Environment
Key Takeaways
Our base case for 2016 is that investors should be prepared for more of the "low and slow" growth that has characterized the global economy since the financial crisis. That means in equities, we believe investors should look for pockets of opportunities and growth.
Outside the US, tilting to the Eurozone and Japan where the accommodative and pro-growth macro currents provide the strongest tailwinds is ideal.
For the US, a resilient consumer and a potential Federal Reserve rate hike should continue to support and fuel top and bottom line growth in consumer related and financial sectors.
In fixed income, still-low government bond yields and the desire for protection from potentially rising rates mean investors may have to explore more credit-sensitive sectors including high yield, senior loans and convertibles.
Source: spdru.com
BATS Global Markets Reports Strong Market Share in U.S. and European Equities, U.S. Options; Welcomes Eight New ETFs in November
BATS Markets Executed $106.4 Billion of Notional Value per Day in November
November 7, 2015--BATS Global Markets (BATS) today reported November data and highlights including one of its best months on record for its European Equities business, with 25.3% market share.
In all, the BATS markets executed $106.4 billion of notional value per day in November. For the fourth month in a row, BATS was the largest equities market operator globally handling more than $1.31 trillion notionally.
Source: BATS Global Markets, Inc.
BetaShares-Global Market Outlook December 2015: Getting comfortable with the Fed
December 7, 2015--After some jitters in August and September, global markets appear to be getting comfortable with the prospect of Fed tightening by year-end. Global equities posted a further modest gain (in local currency or hedged terms) during November, after a solid gain in October.
Australian equities underperformed, however, dragged down by the weakness in commodity prices and disappointment that the RBA did not cut interest rates as (briefly) expected by the market. Property stocks also took a tumble last month.
Source: BetaShares
ETF Securities Commodity ETP Weekly-Sell the rumour buy the fact
December 7, 2015--Gold bounces higher as the 2015 US rate hike becomes a near certainty and the market falls prey to the classic- sell
the rumour buy the fact.
Oil prices under further pressure after OPEC maintains status quo.
Flows into copper ETPs rebound after top Chinese smelters agree to cut back on supply.
Inflows into energy ETPs persist for the 4th consecutive week despite OPEC maintaining status quo. Energy ETPs recorded net inflows of US$39.3mn, driven largely by WTI crude oil ETPs and natural gas ETPs. As predicted hopes pinned on the
OPEC meeting in Vienna this week disappointed investors as they stayed pat on maintaining current production levels despite the ongoing supply glut.
Source: ETF Securities
Russia to issue yuan bonds worth $1bn
December 6, 2015--Federal loan bonds denominated in Chinese yuan will be issued on the Moscow Exchange in 2016, the director of the debt department of the Russian Finance Ministry Konstantin Vyshkovsky said Friday.
The $1 billion is only the minimum amount, according to the ministry.
Source: rt.com
December 2015 BIS Quarterly Review: Uneasy calm awaiting lift-off
December 6, 2015--The December issue of the BIS Quarterly Review explores how global financial markets have responded in recent months to the prospect that monetary policy paths will diverge across the major advanced economies.
Markets stabilised in October, following the episode of turbulence that took place in August.
In November, strong macroeconomic data from the United States increased the likelihood of a "lift-off" in the Federal Reserve's policy rate. The prospects for higher US rates posed challenges for a number of emerging market economies (EMEs), including currency weakness, higher bond yields, and possible capital outflows.
< href="http://www.bis.org/press/p151206.htm" TARGET="_top">view more
view the BIS Quarterly Review December 2015 International banking and financial market developments
Source: BIS
DECPG Weekly-December 04, 2015
December 4, 2015-Taking Stock
U.S. job growth exceeded expectations in November. U.S. non-farm payroll employment increased more than expected in November, by 211,000 jobs. Meanwhile, the employment gains in October and September were upwardly revised to 298,000 (from 271,000) and 145,000 (from 137,000), respectively.
The unemployment rate held steady at 5 percent, in line with expectations. Average hourly earnings rose 0.2 percent (m/m), putting the annual increase at 2.3 percent, compared with 2.5 percent in October.
ECB unveiled new stimulus measures. In a range of additional measures aimed at boosting growth and lifting inflation, the European Central Bank (ECB) cut its deposit rate to -0.3 percent from -0.2 percent, pledged to continue its monthly asset buying program for another 6 months, until at least March 2017, and broadened the asset purchases to include debt instruments issued by regional and local governments in the euro area. However, the measures fell short of market expectations. The euro surged as high as 3 percent against the U.S. dollar to $1.0935 on Thursday, the biggest daily gain since late August, but has since fallen back somewhat.
Source: World Bank
Nasdaq Index Monthly Performance Report as of 11/30/2015
December 4, 2015-The Nasdaq Index Monthly Performance Report (as of 11/30/15)is now available.
Source: Nasdaq.com
New report identifies innovative ways to mobilize investment in low-emission, climate-resilient urban infrastructure
Mechanisms to boost large-scale capital for climate action in cities set out in study by Alliance initiated by UN Secretary-General
December 4, 2015--Proven innovative policies and mechanisms are unlocking investment for much-needed climate-smart infrastructure in cities, according to a new report, and need to be scaled up globally.
The State of City Climate Finance report is being launched today by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and international partners at the Climate Summit for Local Leaders at Paris City Hall, taking place on the margins of the UN Climate Conference in Paris.
view The State of City Climate Finance 2015 report
Source: CCFLA
SPDR Spotlight-Finding Focus in Smart Beta with SPDR ETFs
December 3, 2015-Smart Beta: Factoring in on Specific Objectives
The adoption of smart beta strategies has been one of the most powerful trends in investing as they offer investors a rules based approach to harness specific drivers of risk and return, known as "factors." Many investors are rethinking their core exposures and using smart beta as a way to aim for better risk-adjusted returns in an efficient manner.
Overall, smart beta provides the potential opportunity to capture specific factors that active managers commonly seek exposure to, while preserving the benefits of traditional passive approaches, including transparency, consistency and low cost.
According to a recent survey, 99% of respondents plan to maintain or increase their exposure to smart beta ETFs over the next year.1
Smart beta strategies seek to help investors construct more sophisticated portfolios that can be flexible and conducive to today's macro driven environment. According to a survey, some respondents view smart beta as a form of active management that they can utilize to protect portfolios in down markets or help lower the overall volatility of a portfolio.2 Other top motivations for using smart beta strategies include the potential for increased alpha, income and diversification.
Source: State Street Global Advisors