Insights

Investor anxiety morphed into panic in February. Financial markets were rattled by the latest headlines around the novel coronavirus, with investors attempting to gauge the severity of the widening epidemic and the implications for global growth.

Optimism flourished in November and global equity markets soared to new highs after some encouraging reports of progress on the vaccine-front, which raised the prospect for an end to the pandemic and emboldened expectations for a rapid recovery in growth.

Sentiment improved markedly in October and global equity markets made a swift comeback after the lull in September.

In October, investors turned decidedly cautious ahead of the pivotal U.S. election.