Aviva Investors multi-asset team increases risk ahead of 'market melt-up'

Backing European banks

Co-managers of the Aviva Investors' multi-asset fund range Thomas Wells and Paul Parascandalo are positioning their portfolios in preparation for an imminent "market melt-up" - where stockmarkets spike before a steep decline.

Wells said in order to capture opportunities thrown up by the market spike, the team were "bullish and overweight risk all of last year". They also added further to these risk positions in November. He said: "There is a risk of a melt-up in the next six to eight months. "It feels we are later in the market cycle and you want to be there for what could be a dramatic appreciation in stockmarkets. "A big position for us from a risk perspective is being overweight European banks". Wells explained European banks are best placed to benefit from the trend for various reasons. Aviva ...