Global Macro Outlook—navigating a slowing recovery

A bumpy ride ahead

This time, it’s different—a somewhat overused phrase, but also one that’s strangely apt for the current macroeconomic environment: We’re in the midst of a services-led recession; we’re experiencing mild inflation, despite being in the throes of a sharp economic contraction; and global government debts are rising at a pace that would be considered untenable just a year ago.

Periods such as this can render many so-called tried-and-tested economic theories and investment models less useful, as they’re based on assumptions that bear little resemblance to the current environment. This is particularly important in the coming two to three months as we enter the second phase of our three-phase recovery framework: the stall out.

During this period, we expect the momentum behind the global recovery to slow substantially, creating a more problematic environment for risk assets as a new suite of challenges emerges. While the coming months aren’t likely to be devoid of tailwinds, we believe they’ll be largely defined by headwinds and obstacles: The continued need for social distancing measures will keep a lid on business operating capacity, which will likely translate into further job losses and hurt aggregate demand. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions continue to escalate globally, and there’s a chance that they haven’t been fully priced into the markets.

Key macro themes likely to shape the coming months

Infographic highlighting key macro themes likely to shape the upcoming quarter: a slowing in the pace of economic recovery; a weakening fiscal impulse in the United States; rising geopolitical uncertainty globally and finally, a shift in drivers of inflation. Separately, themes that are likely to define a post-COVID world – such as deglobalization, rising government debts - are being seeded now.

In this edition of Global Macro Outlook, we outline the key macroeconomic themes that are likely to shape the financial markets during the stall-out phase of the recovery and highlight how it’s playing out in major economies around the world. 

A widespread health crisis such as a global pandemic could cause substantial market volatility, exchange-trading suspensions and closures, and affect portfolio performance. For example, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has resulted in significant disruptions to global business activity. The impact of a health crisis and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future could affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. A health crisis may exacerbate other preexisting political, social, and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the portfolio’s performance, resulting in losses to your investment.

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Frances Donald

Frances Donald, 

Former Global Chief Economist and Strategist

Manulife Investment Management

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Sue Trinh

Sue Trinh, 

Former Co-Head, Global Macro Strategy, Multi-Asset Solutions

Manulife Investment Management

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Alex Grassino

Alex Grassino, 

Head of Global Macro Strategy, Multi-Asset Solutions

Manulife Investment Management

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Eric Theoret, CFA, CMT

Eric Theoret, CFA, CMT, 

Former Global Macro Strategist, Macroeconomic and Strategy Team, Multi-Asset Solutions Team

Manulife Investment Management

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