Global equity markets are rallying thanks to the buoyant US economy, which is being driven by stealth stimuli such as record immigration and increased demand for goods and services. But how long is this set to last and what are the risks for investors?

Diversifying portfolios has never been so vital as conflict in the Middle East escalates and spreads. We also consider the performance of the energy sector and gold

Global markets are broadening out now and as equity values rise this wealth is helping to generate economic stimulus in several ways, which we explore here.

Global economic growth has been resilient while inflation has been slowing. We look at the reasons for this and why central banks are under pressure to balance growth and inflation.

In 2024, voters will go to the polls in a record 77 countries. We explore how they will impact economies and stock markets. We also consider how supply chains and shipping routes are affected following Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.

Equities are set to outperform bonds, boosted by company sales growth and elevated profits. Bonds, meanwhile, should benefit from interest rate cuts, which could lead to higher bond prices. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom is expected to continue in 2024, but the US stock market should broaden out beyond this sector into unloved areas like energy and small caps.

Despite global economic uncertainty, investors took comfort from an impressive set of company earnings in the third quarter of 2023. Gold has hit a high this month driven by an outbreak of optimism that US interest rates have now peaked. Equities rallied partly thanks to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom, but appetite for these stocks may not last.