European Central Bank

Second instalment of our special Big Question

The Big Question on the central bank's newly appointed head

2019 has been a stellar year for global bond markets, as weak global economic growth and low inflation have combined with ever more accommodative central banks to push global bond yields significantly lower.

The world’s economies are at different stages in the business cycle.

Global manufacturing continues to contract as trade falters. The Trump administration’s attempts to overhaul trade agreements are cooling sentiment and raising global uncertainty.

Could 2019's markets see a repeat of Wall Street in 1929?

Recession due but will be relatively mild

QE to restart on 1 November

Having a diversified portfolio could soften blows in volatile market

Most fixed income has performed well in 2019 aided by the change in outlook from many central banks around the world and the gross redemption yield (GRY) on many bonds have fallen to very low or negative levels.