Goodbye to Greenwashers
by Michael Clough, CFA
“For fund selectors the key questions are: who is genuine and how do they stack up versus a burgeoning list of peers?”
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -2.8% in a turbulent week for world markets
- President Vladimir Putin announced that the war will continue until Ukraine accepts his demands and halts resistance, dimming hopes for a negotiated settlement
- Brent crude rose +20.6% to $118.1 a barrel
- Gold rose +4.3% to $1970.7 per ounce
Style Box
by Tom Delic
“Boxing styles will ultimately determine how exciting a fight is. This is not too dissimilar to investment styles, where some work better together than others. “
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -0.1% last week
- Last week saw major developments in Ukraine with Russia launching a full-scale invasion of the country. Western governments have moved to place various sanctions on Russia
- Brent crude returned +4.7% over the week to $97.9 a barrel
- Gold returned -0.5% to $1889.3 per ounce
Taking the (not so) long view
by Robert White, CFA
“While investors cannot control their natural behavioural instincts, we should focus on what we can control. “
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -1.8% last week
- The ongoing geopolitical tensions and the move to price in additional rate hikes led to further declines in equities
- Brent crude returned -1.0% over the week to $93.5 a barrel
- Gold returned 2.1% to $1898.4 per ounce
The Boutique Premium
by Gary Moglione
“The one area in which bigger certainly may not be better is performance”
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -0.7% last week
- President Biden yesterday spoke with Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy and promised to act “swiftly” in the event of Russian aggression
- Brent crude rose +1.3% to $94.44 a barrel, an eight-week rally, over concerns that Russian energy supplies could be disrupted by a Ukrainian invasion
- Gold increased by +2.8% to $1858.76
Stay Ahead of the Game
by Richard Parfect
“We are all influenced heavily by what we experienced in childhood – the knocks leave their marks.”
Market Snapshot
- Global equities rallied +1.9% last week
- US labour surprised despite rising Covid cases
- Brent crude rose +3.6% to $90.0 a barrel
- Gold rose +0.9% to $ 1791.5.
New Year’s revolutions
by Andrew Hardy, CFA
This month will see global value outperform the growth index by the most since MSCI records began in 1974
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -0.6% last week
- The Federal Reserve signalled a rate hike with a hawkish tilt
- Brent crude rose +2.4% to $79.3 a barrel
- Gold fell by -0.4% to $1813.
DiversiChination
by Lorenzo La Posta, CFA
Now, everyone loves a free meal but certainly you’re not going to eat it only because it’s free, am I right?
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -4.7% last week
- Risk markets across the world saw declines amidst inflation and interest rate concerns
- Brent crude rose +2.1% to $87.9 a barrel
- Gold increased by +1% to $1835.4
Making money in bonds
by Richard Stutley, CFA
Last year, US Treasuries suffered one of their worst years this century
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -0.1% last week
- US inflation hit 7% in December as prices climbed at rates unseen for decades
- Brent crude returned 5.3% over the week to $86.1 a barrel
- Gold returned 1.2% to $1817.9 per ounce
Turning the corner?
by Stephen Nguyen, CFA
As we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty remains elevated in financial markets
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -1.7% last week
- Fed officials mulled earlier and faster rate hikes than expected due to rising inflation
- Brent crude rallied 5.1% over the week to $81.8 a barrel,
the third consecutive weekly gain
- Gold declined -1.8% to $1796.6 per ounce
Staying the course
by Alex Harvey, CFA
Whilst investment is a different game altogether, similarities can be drawn between our industry and the Formula One season
Market Snapshot
- Global equities rallied 3.3% last week
- US inflation jumped 6.8% in 2021 to the highest level since 1982
- Brent crude rallied 7.5% over the week to $75.2 a barrel
- Gold was flat at $1782.8 per ounce
