Key takeaways
Market insights at a glance
We anticipate a favorable environment for fixed-income investments in 2025 driven by strong global growth, overall progress on inflation and select opportunities arising from market volatility. While the US is likely to continue outpacing other developed market (DM) economies, we anticipate a narrowing growth gap and selective opportunities across various credit markets.
This quarterly summary is intended to aggregate the Firm’s current overall views and present an at-a-glance dashboard covering the following:
- Growth: We expect global growth to remain positive but slow down somewhat from recent levels.
- Inflation: We expect global inflation to continue its downward trend, nearing central banks’ 2% target.
- Rates: We anticipate shorter-term rates will likely decline, providing a more stable source of duration, as they tend to align with potential central bank rate cuts.
- Monetary Policy: We expect central banks to have room to cut rates further, though the magnitude and timing will vary globally.
- Credit Markets: We believe that corporate credit fundamentals are strong, given encouraging free cash flow generation and balance sheet health.
- Geopolitics: Trump’s trade policies, particularly tariffs, are likely to cause temporary market disruptions.
Trump, Tariffs and Protectionist Policies
As featured in our new , the kickoff of Trump’s second term is almost certain to cause bouts of market volatility, as he made tariff threats a central part of his campaign. The proposed tariffs, particularly targeting China, the eurozone and Mexico, are expected to have significant global economic implications. While the exact timing and severity of any actual tariffs remain uncertain, the shift toward protectionism is clear. The potential tariffs could lead to higher inflation while dampening economic activity for key trading partners. The broader impact likely includes weaker global growth and potential retaliatory measures from affected countries. Latin America, particularly Mexico, could face economic pressures from a stronger dollar and lower oil prices. Japan and the eurozone may experience modest disinflation and weaker growth due to reduced exports. Asian economies, especially China, may mitigate impacts through fiscal and monetary measures. Australia, with its strong trade ties to China, could see softer economic growth and inflation.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Fixed-income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks; and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls.
International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Investments in companies in a specific country or region may experience greater volatility than those that are more broadly diversified geographically. The government’s participation in the economy is still high and, therefore, investments in China will be subject to larger regulatory risk levels compared to many other countries. There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, international trade tensions, nationalization, and exchange control regulations and rapid inflation, all of which can negatively impact the fund. Investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China.
Commodities and currencies contain heightened risk that include market, political, regulatory, and natural conditions and may not be suitable for all investors.
US Treasuries are direct debt obligations issued and backed by the “full faith and credit” of the US government. The US government guarantees the principal and interest payments on US Treasuries when the securities are held to maturity. Unlike US Treasuries, debt securities issued by the federal agencies and instrumentalities and related investments may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the US government. Even when the US government guarantees principal and interest payments on securities, this guarantee does not apply to losses resulting from declines in the market value of these securities.