The world’s economy seems to be looking good with investor confidence flying up in January, according to a global index.
The Global Investor Confidence Index rose to 114.4 in January, up 18.6 points from December’s revised reading of 95.8.
The increase was the largest in over four years and was driven by a sharp increase in North American sentiment from 92.1 to 113.6, including Canada, along with sentiment increases in both Europe and Asia. European sentiment rose to 112.6 from December’s revised reading of 107.5. Sentiment in Asia rose to 103.5 from 97.7.
The North American component captures the confidence of U.S. and Canadian investors as it is reflected in their purchases of assets all around the world. Similarly, Europe consists of institutional investors in continental Europe, the UK and Ireland and Asia-Pacific includes Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“Policy uncertainty was reduced in the U.S. and confidence was boosted by optimism over the Fed’s policy of forward guidance, which may help anchor low interest rates going forward,” said Jessica Donohue, State Street’s senior managing director and head of research and advisory services .
“It will be critical to see how sentiment holds up during the debt ceiling debate given the renewed concerns over emerging market growth.”
The Investor Confidence Index was developed by State Street Associates, State Street Global Exchange’s research and advisory services business, and Harvard University professor Kenneth Froot. It measures investor confidence or risk appetite quantitatively by analysing the actual buying and selling patterns of institutional investors.
The index assigns a precise meaning to changes in investor risk appetite: the greater the percentage allocation to equities, the higher risk appetite or confidence.
A reading of 100 is neutral; it is the level at which investors are neither increasing nor decreasing their long-term allocations to risky assets.
The index differs from survey-based measures in that it is based on the actual trades, as opposed to opinions, of institutional investors.
Related Articles:
Canadian investors playing it safe: Survey
Canada's wealthy feel better off now than pre-crisis
Canadians ambivalent on trailers, would dump advisors if fees high
The increase was the largest in over four years and was driven by a sharp increase in North American sentiment from 92.1 to 113.6, including Canada, along with sentiment increases in both Europe and Asia. European sentiment rose to 112.6 from December’s revised reading of 107.5. Sentiment in Asia rose to 103.5 from 97.7.
The North American component captures the confidence of U.S. and Canadian investors as it is reflected in their purchases of assets all around the world. Similarly, Europe consists of institutional investors in continental Europe, the UK and Ireland and Asia-Pacific includes Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
“Policy uncertainty was reduced in the U.S. and confidence was boosted by optimism over the Fed’s policy of forward guidance, which may help anchor low interest rates going forward,” said Jessica Donohue, State Street’s senior managing director and head of research and advisory services .
“It will be critical to see how sentiment holds up during the debt ceiling debate given the renewed concerns over emerging market growth.”
The Investor Confidence Index was developed by State Street Associates, State Street Global Exchange’s research and advisory services business, and Harvard University professor Kenneth Froot. It measures investor confidence or risk appetite quantitatively by analysing the actual buying and selling patterns of institutional investors.
The index assigns a precise meaning to changes in investor risk appetite: the greater the percentage allocation to equities, the higher risk appetite or confidence.
A reading of 100 is neutral; it is the level at which investors are neither increasing nor decreasing their long-term allocations to risky assets.
The index differs from survey-based measures in that it is based on the actual trades, as opposed to opinions, of institutional investors.
Related Articles:
Canadian investors playing it safe: Survey
Canada's wealthy feel better off now than pre-crisis
Canadians ambivalent on trailers, would dump advisors if fees high
