Black Friday spending surprised to the upside despite a softening macro backdrop

Black Friday spending surprised to the upside despite a softening macro backdrop

December 11, 2023 |Carrie Freestone
Retail sales ticked up in November in the midst of the holiday shopping period. Even after adjusting for inflation, real retail sales (excluding autos) were tracking an increase relative to October. Clothing stores and gasoline were responsible for the...
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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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