The Economy and the Markets

STAY HOPEFUL
Investor sentiment is very often unpredictable and moody, especially today when economic data continues to come in mixed and casts doubts on whether the economic stabilization will be able to materialise into a recovery. And against this uncertain backdrop, it was refreshing to listen to an optimistic voice among the crowd on where the global economy is heading. François Trahan, Senior Managing Director and Chief Investment Strategist, ISI Group started off the Wednesday’s session of Marine Money Week on a positive note by reminding the audience that even though consumer deleveraging has already begun and may well continue for the next decade, equities can rally even during such times if the government is able to offset the consumer contraction. He pointed out that the US stimulus package is still very much in its infancy stage considering the fact that the government has only spent 5% or USD 42 billion out of the USD 787 billion.