Articles about “Covid-19”
Covid vaccinations: Apathy follows euphoria
If you ask around in your own circle of acquaintances, you will find that the vaccination coverage rate is now significant. In Austria, it seems, everyone who really wants a vaccination has already received at least a partial vaccination – regardless of prioritization, age or medical history. The EU vaccination rate lags about 6 weeks […]
China 2021 – the year of the ox
2021 is the year of the ox, which is associated with strength, harvests and fertility. After the turbulent year 2020, there are good reasons to look forward to returning to normalcy and development in the year of the ox. This is particularly true for China.
COVID-19 Update: Moderna reports preliminary results from phase 3 vaccine trial
U.S. biotech company Moderna reported positive results from the first interim analysis of its Covid mRNA vaccine candidate. The IA found that of the 95 identified Covid cases in the study population 90 occurred in the placebo group, thus yielding a vaccine efficacy of 94,4%.
Covid Vaccine: Pfizer, BioNTech and the beginning of the end?
In a press release on November 9, Pfizer gave a first taste of the results of the Phase 3 study of the Covid vaccine, which was jointly developed with German biotech company BioNTech. With an estimated efficacy of 90% and the start of the vaccination campaign possibly as early as January 2021, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But some hurdles still remain.
The new economic paradigm: cheap money and a very active State
The economic paradigm – the leitmotif, as it were – has only changed twice in the past 200 years: in the 1930s from liberalism to Keynesianism, and in the 1970s to monetarism. Since the Great Financial Crisis in 2008, we have noticed a new economic upheaval, which has now crystallised into a new paradigm as a consequence of the measures taken to fight the corona pandemic: without a name yet, this paradigm is characterised by cheap money and a very active role of the State.
Will interest rates remain low in the long term?
The interest rates seem to have been going one way for years – down. With the exception of a few corrections, the taboo has been broken for many years that bond yields should have to be positive all the time.
High Inflation – likely to emerge?
At the beginning of September, the FED announced a significant change in their policy: They officially announced the implementation of “average inflation targeting”. This allows to have a higher inflation rate for a period of time instead of being closely held to the target inflation rate of 2%.
Why did the FED announce this shift in its policy? Is inflation returning in the agenda? In this article, we intend to show the policy requirements for high(er) inflation.
Are we heading for a secular stagnation?
When the economy is well, people are well. But just how well is the economy going to be in the coming years? Some economists believe the idea that we will be entering a secular stagnation – or have already entered it – to be a realistic scenario. What does that mean?
COVID-19 Update from the Investment Division: Russia to the Rescue?
Researchers from Moscow-based Gamaleya institute, an offshoot of the Russian Ministry of Health, published detailed phase 1/2 results of their COVID-19 vaccine in the Lancet. If true (remember that we are talking about Russia), these results imply that their vaccine is both effective and has a tolerable safety profile which would make it a strong contender in the international race to defeat COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 is mutating. Barely.
Since the start of the current pandemic researchers and policymakers have worried about possible mutations of SARS-CoV-2. A recent paper based on over 18 500 virus genome samples collected thus far concludes that these worries are unfounded.
The scary R-word: Should we worry about reinfection?
Recently, the first documented case of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 has apparently surfaced in Hong Kong. A day later, Belgium and the Netherlands also reported a reinfection each. Is it time to worry about acquired immunity and vaccine efficacy? There are three scenarios how this might turn out.
SERIES: The next 10 years – longterm outlook
You need a mixture of history, economics and politics to hear through the everyday noise and recognize the big trends of the future. In our new series, Erste AM’s investment team identifies those factors that will determine the next 10 years.
COVID19 Update: Sputnik V – the vaccine that came in from the cold
When Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated his “Mission Accomplished” moment on August 11th with the announcement of Sputnik V, the world’s first SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, the global scientific community reacted with a mix of skepticism and condemnation. Is this warranted or a result of russophobia?
Financial markets outlook: equities and high-yield bonds remain first choice
On top of the corona situation, two additional developments have been crucial for the development of the financial markets. The central banks have been pursuing a very expansive regime on a global scale, and at the same massive stimulus packages have been passed in an effort to get the economy up to speed again
Shares in positive territory – Update from the Investment Division
The US stock market was lifted by technology stocks such as Apple and Microsoft & earnings growth so far is -10.5%. Update from the Investment Division.
FOMC Meeting – Update from the Investment Division
Yesterday, the Fed was the focus of attention & the increase in Covid 19 infections could put further pressure on the economy. Update from the Investment Division.
Losses for risk investments – Update from the Investment DivisionOutlook.
The markets for risky assets ended last week with losses. The main reason was the escalating tensions between China and the US. Update from the Investment Division.
Race for Corona vaccine: 25 vaccine candidates in clinical trials
The pharmaceutical companies and universities racing to develop a corona vaccine are making strides: according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 25 candidates are currently undergoing clinical trials.
EU summit: Agreement on billion-euro aid package – Update from the Investment Division
The EU heads of state and government have agreed on a billion euro aid package. It is the largest in the history of the EU. Update from the Investment Division.
Marathon talks on EU Corona aid packages – Update from the Investment Division
The weekend was marked by marathon talks between EU leaders. So far, no agreement has been reached. Update from the Investment Division.
Stock markets in the corona crisis – Update from the Investment Division
The stock markets continue to be caught between the economic recovery on the one hand and the rising number of new infections in the USA on the other. Update from the Investment Division.
Increasing new infections – Update from the Investment Division
After the easing measures new global infections continue to rise. The stock markets remain unimpressed by this. Update from the Investment Division.
Trading session in Asia – Update from the Investment Division
Asian stock exchanges traded significantly higher & new infections with the Covid-19 virus reach new record levels. Update from the Investment Division.
US Consumer Confidence – Update from the Investment Division
Consumer confidence is rising in the USA. An index that measures consumer confidence is the largest growth and has clearly exceeded expectations for the index. Update from the Investment Division
EU GREEN DEAL: OUT OF THE CRISIS, BUT THE RIGHT WAY
The “European Green Deal” is a new vision for a sustainable and fair economic system in Europe. Green investments can also be profitable investors in the long term.
The European Green Deal: Do no significant harm
A European Green Deal is the ambitious goal of the EU to implement a new growth strategy to stop net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and make economic growth independent of resource use.
Active ownership in times of Covid-19
Corporate dialogues were not particularly hindered by Covid-19. After a short collection phase, both in the companies and in our company, corporate dialogues were resumed or already ongoing dialogues were continued.
Everybody will know someone who is affected by climate change
Will Europe become the first climate-neutral continent in the world? What has become of the climate movement? In recent months, Corona has completely ousted the issue of climate change from the media. Walter Hatak, Head of Sustainable Investments at Erste AM.
China on the way back to its former strength?
China has navigated the crisis quite well so far and that the growth rate of industrial production has picked up, too. All this in an environment where investors are looking for suitable investment opportunities. The Chinese bond market may just be what they are looking for.
„Ain’t no Mountain High Enough“ – Update from the Investment Division
“Ain’t no Mountain High Enough”: The mountains of debt that governments are accumulating know hardly any limits at present. Update from the Investment Division.
China’s recovery trend continues
As the „first in, first out” country of the COVID-19 crisis, China is gradually returning to normal. The April activity numbers indicate that China’s domestic economy has been resilient and has continued to recover from the COVID-19 disruption.
Losses at beginning of week – Update from the Investment Division
What has occurred since the long weekend? Last week began on a positive note in the markets for risk assets. The US leading index, S&P500, gained 3.6% from Monday to Wednesday. This was triggered by the following positive news: In a study, the drug Remdesivir showed success in treating COVID-19 patients. The US Federal Reserve’s […]
ERSTE FUTURE INVEST: Megatrends cannot be stopped
Interview with fund manager Bernhard Selinger on the development of the fund ERSTE FUTURE INVEST.