Last Week at a Glance
Risk assets gained over the week as markets reacted positively to a slower pace of US tariffs implementation and signs that softening US economic data would remain supportive of Fed policy easing.
Equities
The Pension (Re)volution: How the Hybrid Approach is Reshaping Retirement Plans
Although no single strategy can address all challenges related to saving for retirement, adopting a hybrid approach represents a significant initial step toward improving retirement savings outcomes—for employers and employees alike.
Should Investors Underweight Euro Area Equities Given Trade Wars, Elections, and the Weak Growth Outlook?
No. All three factors have weighed on euro area equity and currency markets to some extent in recent months, but we recommend continuing to hold euro area equities at benchmark weights.
Review of Market Performance: Calendar Year 2024
Most risk assets enjoyed strong returns in the calendar year (CY) ended December 31, 2024. US equities led on better-than-expected economic data and AI-related growth.
Market Matters: January 31, 2025
Global equities advanced in January as cooling inflation and US tariff delays catalyzed a risk rally in the second half of the month.
VantagePoint: Avoiding Five Key Investment Pitfalls
The start of the year is an ideal time to review investment practices and procedures to ensure you are set up for success. In this edition of VantagePoint, we outline the following five key investment pitfalls that can steer investors off course and offer guidance on how to avoid them: 1) Taking too little risk; 2) Firing excellent managers after a bout of underperformance; 3) Sizing individual positions too large; 4) Misunderstanding liquidity risk; and 5) Failing to exercise strong governance.
Will President Trump’s Proposed Policy Initiatives Drive More US Large-Cap Equity Outperformance?
No, we don’t think so. While President Donald Trump made numerous campaign pledges that could be seen as beneficial, US large-cap stocks will need more than policy shifts to outperform US small-cap stocks in 2025.
Market Matters: December 31, 2024
Global equities advanced in Q4 as performance diverged among regions.
2025 Outlook: Public Equities
We expect developed markets value and small-cap equities to outperform, given our economic views and their steep valuation discounts. Regionally, we believe US equity performance will not match the level set in 2024, allowing European, Japanese, and emerging markets equities to perform more in line with broader developed markets. Within emerging markets, strong Indian equity gains should moderate, while we doubt Chinese equities will collapse. At the same time, we expect long/short equity strategies will perform better than typical.
Market Matters: November 30, 2024
Global equities advanced as performance diverged among regions. US stocks surged to new all-time highs, whereas developed markets (DM) ex US peers lagged, and emerging markets (EM) shares declined.