Year Ahead 2025: Roaring 20s: The next stage
CIO Daily Updates
From the studio:
From the studio:
Video:CIO’s Sundeep Gantori on NVIDIA earnings, tariffs impact, and AI positioning(1:09)
Video: CIO’s Matthew Tormey on 3Q earnings (1:24)
Podcast: (17:09)
Thought of the day
Thought of the day
Since the start of the 2020s, global equity markets are up by around 50%, US nominal GDP has increased by over 30%, and US corporate profits are up nearly 70%. All that despite unprecedented global lockdowns, the outbreak of wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and the largest spike in interest rates and inflation in decades.
The market and economic developments have led some to term the decade so far as the “Roaring 20s,” marked by high economic growth, strong market returns, and improving productivity. We are now approaching the midpoint of the decade, and the implications of the US election result are a focal point. A key question is whether US political change might extend or end the Roaring 20s.
The upside scenario would see lower taxes, deregulation, and trade deals adding to a positive market narrative built on solid growth and continued investment in artificial intelligence (AI). The risk scenario is that trade tariffs, excessive fiscal deficits, and geopolitical strife will contribute to higher inflation, weaker growth, and market volatility.
While we are monitoring the potential risk scenarios closely, our base case is optimistic about the prospects for US stocks and high-quality bonds. We are more cautious about the US dollar’s medium-term prospects but continue to like gold.
Specifically, our high conviction investment ideas for 2025 are:
- Position for lower rates. In our base case, major central banks will cut rates as inflation normalizes and jobs markets cool. Investors should therefore diversify into high grade, investment grade bonds, diversified fixed income, and equity income strategies to bolster yields.
- More to go in stocks. Falling rates and solid growth make the US market Attractive––we expect the S&P 500 to reach 6,600 by end-2025. We also like select markets in Asia ex-Japan, Eurozone small- and mid-caps, and Swiss high-quality dividend stocks.
- Seize the AI opportunity. AI will likely prove to be one of the biggest investment opportunities of the decade, with potential revenues of more than USD 1.1tr across the segment by 2027. We recommend that investors focus on megacap tech and private companies in the enabling layer for now.
- Invest in power and resources. AI power usage, industrial electrification, and decarbonization will all spur electricity demand––we recommend investing in transmission, distribution, data centers, transport, and energy storage.
- Sell further dollar strength. While the US dollar may stay well bid in the near term, we advocate hedging it, selling it on strength, or generating yield through options as it falls back in line with declining yields and as twin deficit concerns look set to rise.
- Go for gold. Gold looks poised to gain on lower rates, persistent geopolitical risks, and government debt concerns. We also like transition metals as rising demand for them to generate power likely meets constrained supply.
- Time for real estate. The global real estate outlook is promising. With limited supply and growing demand, sectors like logistics, data centers, and multi-family housing present opportunities. We recommend focusing on quality assets and strategic diversification.
Taking a step back, while these investment ideas present compelling cases for immediate action, they must be considered within the broader context of your financial goals. Our Liquidity. Longevity. Legacy.* framework is designed to help you integrate these opportunities into a strategic plan by linking your financial goals to your investments. We recommend putting cash to work and building a core diversified portfolio, including exposure to alternatives. Subject to careful planning and risk management, borrowing may help improve portfolio diversification, while mixing index-tracking and more active approaches provides the potential to generate alpha in a risk-controlled way. Finally, sustainable options are available across all major asset classes, including equities, bonds, hedge funds, and private markets, offering similar risk and return profiles to traditional investments.
Read more in our Year Ahead 2025 outlook, “Roaring 20s: The next stageLink for Registration page.”
- How quickly will US inflation increase?
- ….not well
- Trade war: Our latest views
- ±….
- Trump tariffs: Our view for investors
- Economists’ ignorance is the problem
- AI leaders offer competitive edge despite low-cost peers
- United fronts
- Reciprocal tariffs: What to expect from 2 April?
- “End the Fed”?
- Risk-off mood takes hold ahead of 2 April
- US inflation pain a global gain?
- State controlled prices
- Investing in longevity
- Tax facts
- Market volatility reignited by auto tariffs
- Who believes the numbers?
- Volatility may rise as markets count down to tariff announcement
- Insecurity
- US stocks rise as tariff concerns ease
- Fiscal inefficiency
- Buying the dip in US equities
- Animal spirits measurement
- Tariffs start to show up
- Power and resources opportunities remain despite volatility
- Sort of stagflation?
- Putting cash to work should remain a priority
- US rates – who decides?
- Bullion breaks USD 3,000/oz: Can gold shine brighter still?
- Changing the growth narrative
- Bullion breaks USD 3,000/oz: Can gold shine brighter still?
- A tale of two consumers
- Stocks bounce at end of volatile week
- Regional variations
- The rising price of drowning sorrows
- Diversification can help navigate market volatility
- Cutting confidence more than spending
- US recession fears look overdone
- Powell is not a chicken farmer
- Markets pivot after trade and geopolitical shifts
- When economics takes over
- Equities fall as investors question "Trump put"
- Deflation and inflation
- Global rate-cutting cycle set to continue
- Tax and retreat
- German spending plans raise hopes for an economic lift
- Taxes, spending, and rate cuts
- German spending plans raise hopes for an economic lift
- A disturbance in the force
- Trade war fears spark volatility
- Tax attacks
- US stocks fall on tech concerns and tariff threats
- Taxes and data tampering
- Markets brace for volatility amid Trump policy showdown
- Durable inflation?
- Markets start to fret
- US equity bull market remains intact despite fragile sentiment
- US President Trump’s confusion
- NVIDIA results reinforce further AI growth opportunity
- Panem or Panglossian?
- Bonds rally amid stock volatility
- Is an avocado tax credible?
- Stocks should rebound despite investor caution
- Breaking with the past
- US equities fall amid economic uncertainty
- Time to invest in the US?
- The risk of fantastic savings
- Prepare for an increase in stock volatility amid (geo)political shifts
- Nervousness about policy
- Fed easing still in store despite inflation concerns
- More taxes ahead
- Assessing the AI rally
- Hiring and firing
- Global stocks can extend rally despite uncertainty
- Keeping trade in the spotlight
- Ukraine peace talks in focus amid elevated geopolitical risks
- What US retreats tell us
- Protectionist, or pushover?
- Markets rebound as Trump outlines reciprocal tariffs
- The damage of data dependency
- US inflation higher than expected in January
- The wider politics of price rises
- Fed remains patient on rate cuts ahead of CPI data
- Time to plead for exceptions?
- US President Trump orders more tariffs
- What tariff retreats teach us
- Markets brace for volatility amid tariff, data uncertainty
- The fear of fear
- Revising history
- Treasury yields fall ahead of US jobs release
- Right person, right job, right time
- Gold can shine even brighter
- Trivialities and perceptions
- Earnings should offer some respite from tariff volatility
- Retreat repeat
- FAQs on tariffs
- The Phantom Menace?
- Trump presses ahead with tariffs
- Another fun year
- Time for more taxes