Following on from a very difficult year for investors, 2023 got off to a more positive start with a volatile end in March.
Last year both equities and bond markets experienced substantial losses globally; the two asset classes recorded positive performance during the first quarter of the new year.
Equities surged over the month of January as optimism around a China reopening, signs of peaking inflation and less pessimistic sets of economic growth data helped fuel investor hopes of a soft landing. However, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) shocked markets in March, and caused equities to sell off. Government bonds rallied sharply as investors questioned the soundness of smaller banks and factored in a possible pause in Federal Reserve tightening.
This is a financial promotion and is not investment advice. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investments and any income from them may go down as well as up and is not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount invested. Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change without notice. The views expressed are those of the author at the date of publication unless otherwise indicated, which are subject to change, and is not investment advice.