Global Matters | Monthly
“There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.” Lenin
The quote is attributed to Lenin shortly before the Russian revolution. The week which started on February 24th, when Russia invaded Ukraine, is one of those weeks. Russia’s aggression and the unfolding humanitarian disaster have shaken the West to its core. The self-indulgent complacency spanning three decades since the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break-up of the Soviet Union has hit the brick wall of an existential threat to the liberal order of the democratic
free World.
VAM DFM Investment Update
The Commodity Spike
In this month’s market update, manager Phil Smeaton looks at how the conflict between Russia and Ukraine impacts financial markets. As the news of Russia's invasion of terrain continues, there has been some significant downward pressure on markets in general. This has some short-term impacts which are very sentiment driven, but also longer-term impacts that we need to start to consider in managing discretionary portfolios. MORE...
MARKET COMMENTARY - MARCH - 2022
Most global stock markets fell last month following a period of serious geopolitical tensions which ultimately resulted in the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February. This caused another spike in commodity prices, including oil and gas, and intensified concerns about inflation and the economic outlook. It also overshadowed the more welcome news that the pandemic was continuing to wane in most countries with restrictions being relaxed further.
Q2 2022 - GLOBAL MARKET OUTLOOK
Dented, not derailed
Russia/Ukraine adds to near-term growth risks for the global economy and will keep inflation elevated for longer. Uncertainty is high, but equity markets are oversold and should recover if tensions ease in coming months.