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Geopolitics surpasses inflation at top of sovereign wealth fund fret list

Geopolitical rivalries, including developing trade battles between the United States and China, now trump inflation as the biggest concern for sovereign wealth funds and reserve banks handling some $22 trillion in possessions, an Invesco survey released on Monday revealed.

The ratcheting up of dispute - from Russia's war in Ukraine to trade restrictions - has loomed over worldwide investors for several years, but with the inflation tide ebbing, and as nearly half the world's population votes on brand-new leaders, the tensions are now centre phase.

This naturally is the year of elections, stated Rod Ringrow, Invesco's head of main organizations, adding: Geopolitics. has actually surpassed (inflation) on both the short term and the long term. outlook.

Some 83% of the survey respondents listed geopolitical. stress as their top near-term concern, going beyond the 73% who. listed inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and protectionism. also topped the list of concerns for the coming years for 86% of. participants.

Over the long term, respondents noted environment modification as the. second-biggest threat.

Climate is traditional now and the financial investment processes for. the sovereign funds and the reserve banks ... are beginning to. designate capital to take a look at that and see how that effects,. Ringrow stated.

The Invesco Global Sovereign Property Management Research Study, in its. 12th year, surveyed 83 sovereign wealth funds and 53 reserve banks. in the first quarter of 2024.

CHANCE IN GOLD

The stress - specifically the West's confiscation of more. than $300 billion worth of Russia's assets in response to. Moscow's continuous invasion of Ukraine - also spooked main. banks.

A total of 56% of them stated the potential weaponisation. of reserves improved the appeal of gold.

We have seen more central banks purchasing gold, buying. physical gold ... and an increasing demand to try and hold the. gold, or a few of it, in your area, Ringrow said.

Central banks generally saved gold in centres like. London and New York - where, as Venezuela found over the last few years,. it can be efficiently seized.

EMERGING OPTIMISM

Majority of participants stated that emerging markets are. likely to gain from the increasing multipolarity, while 67%. of sovereign wealth funds anticipate emerging markets to match or. outperform developed markets.

India was the most appealing market, partially since its. bonds are entering into easy-to-access worldwide financial investment. indices.

But Ringrow stated a constellation of other emerging. economies, including Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia and South Korea,. can benefit from the dislocation in trade and economic. activity.

(source: Reuters)