Global Markets Review and Outlook Q1 2021

Global markets extended their climb in Q1, rising 4.6%. Value equities led growth with Tech and Tech-like equities lagging, however we believe this to be a temporary countertrend. We are monitoring this carefully with the understanding that style volatility is normal. Crucially, our outlook hasn’t changed. We still think equities should have a good year, with growth regaining its leadership as markets climb alongside sentiment.

  • Expect an Above-Average Year for Global Equities: We anticipate a strong year for global markets tied to equities’ resilience, political clarity and continued vaccine development and distribution.
  • We Believe We are Late in the Market Cycle: The 2020 downturn behaved more like an outsized correction than a traditional bear so the market cycle did not reset. The vast majority of our sentiment and market indicators point to this being a late cycle bull market, yet many forecasters expect early-cycle leadership.
  • Investor Sentiment is Elevated but not Euphoric and can Remain High for a Long Time: Positive sentiment can reign for a while before equities reach a euphoric peak, with strong returns along the way. Monitoring sentiment will be key for investors in 2021.
*The foregoing information constitutes the views of Fisher Investments based on information believed to be reliable. There can be no assurances that Fisher Investments will continue to hold these views. These views may change at any time based on new information, analysis, or reconsideration.
About Fisher Investments

Founded in 1979, Fisher Investments is an independent, fee-only investment adviser with $205 billion under management.* Fisher Investments maintains four principal business units, Fisher Investments Institutional Group, Fisher Investments Private Client Group, Fisher Investments 401(k) Solutions Group and Fisher Investments Private Client Group International, which serve a global client base of diverse investors. The clients of Fisher Investments and its affiliates include over 140,000 clients. Founder and Executive Chairman Ken Fisher’s “Portfolio Strategy” column for Forbes ran from 1984 through 2016, making him the longest continually running columnist in the magazine’s 90+ year history. He has also authored several New York Times bestsellers on finance and investing. (*As of 9/30/2023)