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Market View Q2...

12 July 2021

5 min read

Market View Q2 2021

Our latest thinking on world markets and the most recent decisions we have made about what to buy and sell within your portfolio. Please note that our views may change at any time.

Kasim Zafar
Kasim Zafar,

Chief Investment Officer

The recovery continues further as we progress through 2021. Commodities and cyclical equity sectors, like energy, materials and financials have performed very strongly. With more vaccinated people and easing social restrictions, the level of economic activity is growing apace. OpenTable (restaurant) bookings are now running only 20% below 2019 levels (globally), Google’s mobility data confirms visitors to retail and recreation venues is back to around 10-20% below 2019 levels.

However, our use of public transport is significantly lower, somewhere between 10 – 40% lower for most G10 countries. This is because many of us are working from home, with high variability across countries but with the UK and US still having around 30% fewer visitors to work-places relative to pre-pandemic.

 

Kasim Zafar

Kasim Zafar


Chief Investment Officer

Kasim is Chief Investment Officer and the portfolio manager for the EQ Best Ideas portfolios. He began his career in investments in 2002, gaining experience as a portfolio manager and senior analyst of global capital markets. His experience spans multiple asset classes, constructing portfolios with varying risk/return objectives and active risk management processes. Kasim graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physics from Imperial College and is a CFA charter holder, being a regular member of the CFA Institute and CFA UK. When not immersed at work, Kasim often finds himself stumped and constantly amazed by his young daughter at home. He also enjoys spending time in the kitchen practising his “cheffy” skills with both European and Asian cuisine, reflecting his mixed background.

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