The Global Investment Outlook

Economic data has been resilient, recession risks have diminished, and inflation has cooled sufficiently for central banks to consider cutting policy rates at some point this year. In this environment, sovereign bonds are appealing, and while stocks have surged as investors embraced the improved odds of an economic soft landing, demanding valuations in U.S. large-cap stocks may limit upside potential.

This Global Investment Outlook includes:

  • The recommended mix of cash, fixed income instruments, and equities.
  • The recommended global exposure of fixed income and equity portfolios.
  • The optimal term structure for fixed income investments.
  • The suggested sector and geographic make-up within equity portfolios.
  • The preferred exposure to major currencies.

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U.S. labour market ended the year with strength

U.S. labour market ended the year with strength

January 05, 2024 |Claire Fan, Economist, Royal Bank of Canada
US labour market data ended 2023 with strength. Payroll employment was up 216k in December while the unemployment rate held at 3.7% after declining to that level the prior month. As was the case for much of the year, the employment gain in December was...
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Canadian labour markets ended 2023 with a whimper

January 05, 2024 |Nathan Janzen, Assistant Chief Economist, Royal Bank of Canada
The December labour market data was mixed, but on balance adds to evidence that economic activity remained soft through Q4. Employment was essentially unchanged in December, the softest reading since a 6k decline last July. And the unemployment rate held...
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