Pace of rate hikes seen slowing following SVB collapse

Financial markets on Monday appeared to position themselves for a slower pace of rate hikes in the US, or even a pause, amid talk that the Federal Reserve may adopt a more cautious monetary policy following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The European Central Bank this week still is expected to raise interest rates by 50 percent amid the global market turmoil caused by the collapse of SVB, which fell victim due to mismanagement of its interest rate risks. 

Chart of the Week: Are equities complacent?

Powell opens the door to a 50-basis-point rate hike, interest rates shoot up and equities crash. And yet, at the time of writing, the VIX index is below 20, raising the question of whether equities are not a bit complacent.

You can probably already hear a little from my tone what my answer is going to be. Still, there is a good reason why implied volatility looks relatively low.

‘Equities are a lost cause. Don’t trust this rally.’

While interest rates in the bond market are rising uninhibitedly, the stock market may be in a dead-cat bounce, or a «sucker-rally». Some market specialists do not trust the rally and declare equities «a lost cause». In terms of allocations, the traditional appeal of a 60-40 portfolio appears to make a comeback now that the ‘earnings yield spread’ between stocks and bonds is narrowing.

KBI en tête du top 5 du secteur de l’eau

La popularité des thèmes d’investissement varie grandement, mais l’eau semble une constante. En outre, l’or bleu joue un rôle central dans grand nombre de défis liés à la durabilité auxquels notre planète est confrontée. Les investisseurs semblent de plus en plus conscients de son importance ces dernières années, si bien que le thème a attiré beaucoup d’argent frais.

New Raif registrations remain below year-ago levels

Some 27 new Reserved Alternative Investment Funds, or Raifs, were registered at the Luxembourg Business Register during February, according to information made public at the end of the month.

The number brings the total new Raifs registered so far this year to 48 funds. That compares to 78 new Raifs that were created during the first two months of last year.

Luxembourg now is home to a total of 2173 Raifs. During 2022, a total of 472 new Raifs were registered. That is an average of 39 per month.

BLI’s Wagner sees rates go up amid firm consumption

The Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank will continue to hike their interest rates this month among broad and persistent signs of strong consumption and the “resilient nature” of economic activity, Guy Wagner, chief investment officer at BLI - Banque de Luxembourg Investments, said.