InvestmentsNov 26 2015

2015 markets roundup

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2015 markets roundup

It is that time of the year again when market analysts and research firms release their outlooks for 2016. But there is still time for activity this year, and the December option for a rate hike from the US Federal Reserve remains open.

The dominant themes this year included quantitative easing from the European Central Bank (ECB), Greece’s ongoing economic crisis, the Chinese slowdown, elections around the world, and constant speculation around rate rises from both the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.

“There have been a few roadblocks in 2015,” Sean Maloney, economist and market strategist at London-based Finconomics, said. “The Greek bailout plan slippage, subsequent fractious renegotiations, the correction in China and the anticipation of the pending rate hike by the Fed have all caused bouts of volatility.”

Mr Maloney explained that the geopolitical climate worsened in 2015 with the European migrant crisis and the situation in the Middle East getting more complicated with the involvement of Russia.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the Conservatives came to power with David Cameron remaining as prime minister, an EU referendum was put on the agenda and pension freedoms for retirees came into effect. The UK economy remained in a good state with recent figures from the OECD that point to growth at a robust pace for the next two years. However, the CBI recently downgraded the UK’s growth figures due to weak investment prospects, pointing to instability in China as a risk. Chart 1 shows a forecast of the UK GDP from 2014 to 2018 according to various institutions.

“Recent growth has been robust after what was initially one of the slowest recoveries on record” said Joe Grice, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), adding “real earnings growth should underpin continuing strength in domestic demand. But the balance of payments on the current account deficit – now widened to record levels as a percentage of GDP – is an area that will need watching.”

Elsewhere in the world, emerging market economies faced headwinds due to commodity markets and the speculation of a Fed rate hike, according to economists. The markets are being hit with commodity exposure to China on one hand, and financial sector exposure to the US dollar rates cycle on the other hand.

At the time of press, the Fed has left the markets speculating a rate hike before the end of the year, but many believe it should move before it is too late. Pointing to the lack of rate hike from the September meeting, Mr Maloney said the meeting came at a time when the market setting was not right. “To move when the prospect of a significant adverse reaction was high would have increased the probability of needing to backtrack.”

Some market analysts have pointed out that key issues in 2016 will continue to be oil prices, the Chinese economy and policy divergence from the central banks.

Mr Maloney, however, believes there are bigger worries for 2016. “In market adjustment terms, the rate hikes and the Chinese slowdown will be yesterday’s game. The bigger worry for me is geopolitics,” he said, adding, “macroeconomic risks are there but they are priced.”