The representatives of the Democrats and the Republicans have reached an agreement in the dispute over the debt ceiling in the USA. The cap of $31,400 billion is to be suspended until 2025. Subject to approval in the House of Representatives and Congress, the agreement is positive for the financial markets. However, another effect could weigh on the markets further down the line.
Global growth is likely to cool significantly in the second quarter. At the same time, recession risks remain uncomfortably high, as Chief Economist Gerhard Winzer writes in his market commentary. The further course of negotiations on the US debt ceiling is also likely to cause tension on the market.
The cloud business of the leading tech companies continues to boom. However, many see the future primarily in the potential applications of artificial intelligence. With billions in investments, Google parent Alphabet and software giant Microsoft want to take a leading role in the trendy topic of AI.
How much longer will the sideways trend on the stock markets last? Negative and positive factors balance each other out. One unresolved issue among many is the U.S. debt ceiling.
With the ERSTE REAL ASSETS mixed fund, investors can invest in real assets – and have indeed been doing so for two years now. On the occasion of the fund’s two-year anniversary, Philip Schifferegger, fund manager of ERSTE REAL ASSETS, is taking a look at the current market situation. He also explains why the fund is well equipped for both positive and negative market phases.
ERSTE IMMOBILIENFONDS is celebrating its 15th anniversary this month. The portfolio now comprises 85 properties in 10 cities with real estate assets of around EUR 2 billion. In this interview, Peter Karl, CEO of ERSTE Immobilien KAG, talks about the development of the fund and the challenges on the real estate markets in the face of rising interest rates and high inflation.
Most recently, central banks have signaled a somewhat less sharpish stance, as an effect of the rapid key rate hikes on the monetary environment has already become visible. However, recent economic data are dampening hopes for a rapid decline in inflation, as Chief Economist Gerhard Winzer explains in his market commentary.
Last weekend, for the third time in two months, a US bank found itself in turmoil. After Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) slid into crisis in March after customers withdrew billions in funds, First Republic Bank has now been hit. A look at the history books shows that banking crises and bank runs have happened time and again. However, the lessons learned from them helped to make the banking system more robust and stable.
The Greek sovereign debt crisis is now more than 10 years old. Many observers saw this event as the starting point of a never-ending story. However, if one looks at the recent past, Greece convinced with positive aspects. Many see the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 21 as the last major obstacle to regaining the country’s investment grade rating.
The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies sees the economies of Eastern Europe on a growth path. The bottom seems to have been reached. Now investing in the region’s leading companies?
