by Dr Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, AMP Capital Investors
Introduction
2013 turned out to be a very good year for investors in well-diversified portfolios as the threats of the last few years receded and global growth prospects improved. The US did not have a fiscal crisis, the Eurozone continued to stabilise, Japan recovered, Chinese growth stabilised and Australia saw signs that low interest rates are starting to help the economy. As a result, the global economy was in a sweet spot of stabilising/improving growth, but low & falling inflation and very easy monetary conditions, all of which proved very favourable for equity markets. This note provides an annual list of lists – a summary of key views on the global economic and investment outlook in simple point form.