2024 Revealed : Ten convictions for a blinding future
As December was bringing to an end another challenging year on financial markets, our CIO Nicolas Forest and Candriam investment experts observed the tradition and took some time to reflect on the past events and future potential opportunities. Portfolio managers, economists and analysts put their thoughts on paper and shared ten pieces on the themes which they believe will shape 2024:
- Monetary policy: are we finally heading towards a more “normal” yield curve?
- How to make the most of high rates in a Fixed income portfolio?
- Equities: What about corporate margins and profits?
- Should we worry about Public deficits in the Eurozone?
- Where do we stand on financing the Energy transition?
- Are Real estate markets up for a warmer season?
- Emerging markets: discover the new rising stars!
- Is the Healthcare sector still a defensive play?
- US election year: what economic consequences in case of a Biden-Trump duel?
- Asset allocation: what portfolio to enter 2024?
Want to have an overall view, or a closer look at one of them? Here they are gathered in a single document.
2024 Revealed : Ten convictions for a blinding future
-
High Yield can offer attractive income potential, but understanding the opportunity means looking beyond the headline yield. In this video, Candriam’s Marie Thomin explores the three things you need to know about High Yield. Learn what really matters when assessing an investment, what to look for beyond a credit rating, and how High Yield could fit within your portfolio. -
When hyperscalers borrow
Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of the economic debate, promising to reshape how businesses operate and how productivity is generated. Its investment cycle is already supporting activity, well before the full benefits of adoption can be measured. -
Climate risk: looking local, thinking systemic
From supply-chain exposure to geospatial analysis, understanding where companies operate is becoming essential to assessing their long-term resilience. -
Pink October 2026 and the move towards more precise cancer care
A cancer diagnosis raises very personal questions. Which treatment is most likely to work? How will doctors know whether it has worked? -
Can Europe build its way to energy autonomy?
Europe may be breaking its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, but energy autonomy will not be achieved by changing the energy mix alone. It will require stronger grids, greater industrial capacity and more resilient critical-material supply chains. -
Dispersion and Trends Drive Opportunities
September was characterised by resilient global economic activity, persistent inflationary pressures and increasing concerns over monetary tightening and geopolitical risks. In the United States, economic momentum remained robust, supported by AI-related investment and resilient consumption, despite signs of labour market moderation. In Europe, economic indicators continued to improve, with manufacturing and services PMIs signalling greater resilience. -
Earnings take centre stage
The Fed has delivered a hike where investors just months ago expected cuts. Markets now anticipate further tightening through 2027, yet US equities remain higher this year. Earnings expectations have held up through the reversal in monetary expectations. The upcoming Q3 reporting season will show whether companies can deliver on them. -
Maintaining duration overweight on EUR rates
We retain a modest duration overweight in the two-to-five-year segment after September's sharp sell-off. Higher real yields have made valuations more appealing, but we keep conviction limited. Our strongest argument remains monetary policy: markets discount a terminal Fed rate around 4.75% , leaving room for a less extensive tightening cycle to support shorter maturities.