CS Investment Outlook 2019_watermark

Global trade terms are being reshaped: tariffs, ­something we had grown accustomed to not thinking about, are back with some governments introducing tariffs and other protective measures for some of their trading partners. We have also seen new regional trade arrangements reached. In the past year, I have often discussed these important developments with clients and other stakeholders. In doing so, I have been able to rely not only on my own experience, but also on the Credit Suisse House View.

The House View plays a fundamental role in shaping the advice we give our clients and how we invest on their behalf. Our leading investment strategists analyze global political and economic trends, and distill a wide range of analysis and information from across the bank into one consistent view. In short, the House View is an essential part of the trust we earn and the results we deliver.

Innovation is another key value at Credit Suisse. Our House View also encompasses our five Supertrends: “Angry societies – Multipolar world,” “Infrastructure – Closing the gap,” “Technology at the service of humans,” “Silver economy,” and “Millennials’ values.” They provide compelling themes for long-term investors (see pages 34 – 37 for details). I would like to emphasize sustainable investments this year, included in one of our Supertrends, as this is an area of increasing interest for our clients today and of growing relevance for our world. We at Credit Suisse are committed to playing our part in making our collective investments sustainable, which we believe is also smart investing.

I wish you a prosperous 2019.

Tidjane Thiam

Our Investment Outlook 2019 provides a roadmap to navigate the months ahead. For equities, we provide an overview of all sectors. We believe that technology will remain a strong driver. For fixed income, we examine the relatively rare phenomenon of a US yield curve inversion (when US short-term interest rates exceed long-term interest rates). And we discuss how to establish a successful­ currency strategy comprising carry, value and safe-haven currencies.

From the macroeconomic point of view, several factors may well prolong the economic cycle and speak against an imminent­ global slowdown. Productivity gains and benign inflation will be key for central banks’ monetary responses and hence financial markets.

Last but not least, our special focus section is devoted to what has excited us most in the last two years: our longterm Supertrends, five investment themes that offer superior return prospects. Furthermore, we showcase education as part of our efforts in sustainable and impact investing, a market that has been seeing rapid growth as investors increasingly seek to combine financial returns with a social and environmental impact.

We wish you a successful year ahead.