--- title: "Monthly Pulse: REVIEW AND OUTLOOK" description: The year 2019 closed as a remarkable year. The fears at the end of 2018 were not self-fulfilling. image: https://www.g2fp.com/hubfs/montly%20pulse%20format%20blog%20nl-2.png --- [![logolong](https://www.g2fp.com/hubfs/logolong.png) ](https://www.gentwo.com) ### Categories ## Monthly Pulse: REVIEW AND OUTLOOK - 08.01.2020 - 5 min read time --- | ###### The year 2019 closed as a remarkable year. The fears at the end of 2018 were not self-fulfilling. The economy still went strong and the FED started a new quantitative easing program.  | | --- | Despite of 3 interest rate hikes expected, we had 3 interest rates cut in 2019. Almost all asset classes were positive with equity markets 30% up. A balanced mandate was up 15% in USD and 13% in EUR, whereas yield mandates performed 11% in USD and 10% in EUR. **Most of the central banks followed the FED and cut their interest rates.** A remarkable example however is the Swedish central bank that started as a first central bank with negative interest rates and is now slowly back in positive territory. Not only were markets driven by better fundamental data and support of the central banks, but also the trading war between China and the US – at the year-end there was even a slight hope for a first agreement of a phase one deal. **Fixed Income Markets** also did well. 17 Trillion of the fixed income markets are now yielding negatively. The 100y maturity **Austrian bond is clearly the best example as it performed 40% since the beginning of the year** – even better than equity markets. Also, credit spreads tightened further in this risk-on environment. We see higher yields only should further economic growth be realized or higher inflation. Both scenarios should be under control. **We still prefer higher duration in bonds, but overall a neutral allocation to bonds.** We also prefer credit risk as the economic data should be supportive. **Equity markets** were driven rather by a price/earnings expansion than higher earnings growth. The leading indicators such as Purchasing Manager Indices or the interest rate curves started to normalize again. An inverse interest rate curve normally correlates with a recession. **The ****presidential election will define together with Brexit and trading wars the geopolitical environment.** As probability increased that Elizabeth Warren might be the democratic candidate, equity markets reacted sharply. Especially the health care, banks and technology sectors increased significantly. However, earnings growth must pick up, otherwise we will see a bad awakening. **For equities we stay neutral** although it is difficult to find an interesting alternative to equities. Equities are more liquid than the fixed income markets, although more volatile. In 2019 trading ranges for major currencies were the narrowest since Bretton Woods system broke up in 1973. Looking back, extreme low volatility occurred in 1996, 2007 and 2014 each period was followed by an explosion in price swings. Overall, **we expect this year a weaker USD despite the relative interest rate differential.** On the other hand, the slowly brightening of the global economy argues in favour of cyclical currencies such as the EUR. However, the continuing weak growth in the EZ remains a burden. **Gold** has had quite of a journey upwards and retrospective the FED and the US-China trade war have been the two major forces in driving the gold direction last year. We expect **January and February to be positive for gold due to Lunar New Year period and seasonal patterns.** However, as things stand, there are a couple of reasons to not expect gold to overshoot: the FED is not seen cutting rates anytime soon, global economy is seeing some green shots amid the economic slowdown and trade negotiations have reached a temporary ceasefire. **Note: **This report is published by [Clarus Capital Group AG](https://www.claruscapital.ch/en/)   ![](https://www.g2fp.com/images/gz_testimonial.jpg) ###### Roger Ganz **Head Asset Management**, Clarus Capital Group AG ![](https://www.g2fp.com/images/dr_testimonial.png) ###### Dejan Ristic **Partner**, Clarus Capital Group AG ###### Disclaimer ###### This document has been prepared by Clarus Capital Group AG ("Clarus Capital"). This document and the information contained herein are provided solely for information and marketing purposes. 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