First quarter 2019 market performance implies investors have faith that the reincarnation of central banks will lead to the rebirth of the global economic expansion, which suffered a noticeable slowdown throughout 2018. Beyond central banks’ new-found dovishness, investors are seeking resolution to the U.S. – China trade war and clarity on Brexit. A few first quarter highlights:

• Global equity markets recouped all their 2018 losses and are up 12.3% for the quarter
• Interest rates across the world and across the yield curve have fallen
• The 10 -year U.S Treasury yield has fallen from over 3% to 2.4%
• German and Japanese 10 -year bond yields are now back into negative territory
• Global real estate enjoyed a 14.8% first quarter return, while global listed infrastructure was up 14.1%

Read more key developments in the first quarter