The long-run expected total return for the Global Market Index (GMI) fell again in March, dropping to an annualized 6.9% vs. the previous month’s 7.1%. The analysis is based on three models (defined below) for GMI, a global benchmark that’s based on a market-value weighted mix of the major asset classes (excluding cash).

Continue reading →

New US tariffs are set to start today, according to the Trump administration. Analysts are hoping that the details will provide more clarity on the policy shift. This much is clear: the stakes are high. “The main channel from trade policy uncertainty to GDP is via business investment. Under higher trade policy uncertainty, future revenue streams of an investment become more uncertain, raising the option value of delaying investment decisions until the situation is clearer,” Oxford Economics analysts said in a research note.

Continue reading →