30th April 2012

BlackRock: Global Market Analysis

Global Market Analysis

Most markets have remained range-bound in the past few weeks. This rather trendless period primarily continues to reflect a more downbeat macroeconomic environment compared to the start of this year. Global growth is lukewarm and likely to be slightly below the long-term trend as we go into the second half of the year. However, we continue to believe that firmer growth in emerging economies will lead to a slightly better outlook for global growth in the second half.

Recession risk at the moment is really only significant in Europe, where it has been mild so far, though recent economic data does point to a deterioration of economic conditions in both the eurozone core and periphery. This highlights the very difficult economic backgrounds against which austerity measures continue to be implemented.

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Focus on Fixed Income

Update on the fixed income landscape covering government and corporate bonds and currency moves.

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Precious Metals Update

Gold prices rose after the US Federal Reserve stated it was prepared to do more to stimulate the US economy.

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Global Strategic Framework

Our latest monthly in-depth review of markets and asset classes.

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Go Further for Income

Ewen Cameron Watt is chairing our first webinar on income investing across all asset classes. It will take place on Friday 4 May at 10:30am UK time.

Register for the event here.

 Market Movements 
 
 
 Equity Markets* 27 April 12 % Change 
 
 
 S&P 500 1403.36 1.80 
 
 NASDAQ 3069.20 2.29 
 
 TSE 1st Section 804.27 -0.94 
 
 FTSE S&P World Europe 301.59 0.48 
 
 FTSE All-Share 3003.97 0.11 
 
 DAX 6801.32 0.76 
 
 Hang Seng 20741.45 -1.28 
 
 Euro Stoxx 50 2344.02 1.42 
 
 
 
 Bonds 27 April 12 % Change 
 
 
 Citi World Govt Bond Index All Maturities 615.46 0.27 
 
 
 
 Bond Yields** 27 April 12 20 April 12 
 
 
 US 1.93 1.97 
 
 Japan 0.89 0.93 
 
 German 1.61 1.62 
 
 UK 2.04 2.08 
 
 
 
 Currencies 27 April 12 20 April 12 
 
 
 USD/EUR 1.33 1.32 
 
 GBP/USD 0.82 0.82 
 
 JPY/USD 80.45 81.61 
 
 USD/GBP 1.62 1.61 
 
 JPY/GBP 130.63 131.52 
 
 
 
 Commodities 27 April 12 % Change 
 
 
 Oil (Brent Crude) 118.78 0.67 
 
 Commodity Futures (CRB) Index 560.22 1.15 
 
 Gold 1664.18 1.38 
  
 
Source: BlackRock, DataStream
Equity, currency and bond markets measured over seven days, from previous Friday's close to Friday's close. All index returns in local currency terms. All equity index returns are price only.
**Bonds: 10-year yield.

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