BlackRock's Terry Simpson on 2018 Economic Outlook
BlackRock Investment Institute released its 2018 Global Investment Outlook on Monday. Terry Simpson, Multi-Asset Investment Strategist at the Institute, explains his outlook for the economy heading into the new year.
The top themes in 2018 include: room to run in economy growth, inflation making a comeback in select regions, and lower reward for risk. This year, the global stage saw big surprises in economic growth from Europe, Japan, and China. Simpson expects the economic recovery to continue, but adds that there won't be as many surprises in 2018.
On Sunday, CBOE launched futures contracts for cryptocurrency. During this first day on futures, Bitcoin surged 26 percent. Simpson says he sees tremendous opportunity for blockchain technology. But, Simpson says, now is not an opportune time to recommend that its institutional clients invest in crypto assets, because of lack of regulation and volatility.
Stocks fell in the opening session Tuesday as earnings reports continued to pour in and as investors brace for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision on Wednesday.
A flow of recent data from the U.S. government has made one thing strikingly clear: A surge in consumer spending is fueling strong growth, demonstrating a resilience that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning parents and caregivers not to buy or serve certain pureed fruit pouches marketed to toddlers and young children because the food might contain dangerous levels of lead.
