Max Severijns

Is the US Spot Bitcoin ETF Hype Overblown? The SEC’s rejection of spot bitcoin ETFs faces legal challenges, raising questions about their potential impact.

BlackRock, during the presentation of its 2024 Global Outlook at its New York headquarters, indicated that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to cut interest rates until the second half of next year, a scenario the market currently sees as highly improbable. This divergence in expectations set the stage for the event, titled “Context is Everything”, where the asset manager shared its strategic insights. 

After a previous setback, BlackRock is launching new target-date ETFs, aiming at the vast market of Americans without pension plans, a move seen as promising for the self-employed.

BlackRock is reviving its target-date fund ETF series with a fresh approach, targeting the trillion-dollar market of Americans lacking pension plans, nine years after its initial failure.

Forecasting the S&P 500’s trajectory, most major banks in the US, including their asset managers, predict a marginally positive year for the index in 2024. However, views diverge significantly on the fate of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech giants.

China, once a beacon for investors, is facing unprecedented challenges, leaving institutional portfolio managers worldwide questioning its investability. ‘A valid concern, but the question whether or not China is still investable is too complex for a simple yes or no.’

That’s according to Arthur Kroeber, founder of Gavekal Dragonomics, an independent research firm specializing in the economics, politics, and social issues of China. 

The suggestion that the Federal Reserve will maintain elevated interest rates is wavering after Tuesday’s unexpected declines in U.S. inflation figures, much to the delight of stock and bond markets.

Italian government bonds face a downgrade to “junk status”. Nevertheless, after years, the interest of foreign investors in this “ticking time bomb” is increasing.

The prolonged exodus of foreign investors from Italian government bonds has halted this year. According to research by Amundi Investment Institute, the asset class saw positive inflows of 35 billion euros in the first seven months, driven by foreign interest.

Predicting future interest rates is a favorite activity among economists and strategists, but Dimensional Fund Advisors takes a unique stance. “Forward rates are the best guide when positioning bond portfolios for higher expected returns,” they assert, dismissing the predictions of journalists and other ECB/Fed watchers.

Prices of small-cap stocks remain significantly adrift from their historical performance at the onset of a Fed hiatus, now offering a golden chance for value seekers. While a new study hails the performance small-caps during Fed pauses, critics cast doubt and warn that this historical trend is difficult to time precisely.

Despite the resilience of the American economy, investors in Treasuries and bonds harbor stiff hopes for a quick Fed pivot during the third losing year. “But we aren’t there just yet,” said Fidelity’s global fixed income CIO Steve Ellis.