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The trade war between China and the US, tensions in the Middle East and electoral risks in the United States will be some of the factors that will determine the evolution of equity markets this year. To which must be added in recent days the health emergency due to the emergence of coronavirus. Even though at the moment, and in the first two months of 2020, the balance is being positive for the interests of investors. With an average profitability of the stock markets everywhere around 2.5%, mainly the US, which continues at historical highs.
Sea cual sea el caso, los inversores mantienen e inclusive potencian sus operaciones en activos tradicionales que pueden actuar como refugio seguro, fundamentalmente en momentos de cierta inestabilidad en los mercados financieros. Como prueba de que estos agentes de inversión no los disponen a todos con ellos de cara a lo que nos puede deparar este año. Puesto que existen muchas incertidumbres que pueden hacer que los mercados de renta variable internacionales cambien en cualquier época del año.
Of all these safe-haven securities, gold stands out mainly for its high potential for appreciation and that it currently has a high trading volume. While on the other hand, another investment that can be categorized in this group is that of currencies. With a possible positive surprise that is represented by the Japanese yen and where much of the monetary funds from everywhere. Due to the favorable exchange rate that it can offer against other international currencies, mainly with the US dollar.
Refuge: yen, dollar and Swiss franc
These are some of the investment stars that may emerge in 2020 as safe havens from investor decisions. It cannot be forgotten that in the last year japanese yen, the Swiss franc and the US dollar have been some of the most relevant financial assets that have acted as a refuge to make savings profitable. One of these reasons may be due to the more modest expectations of economic growth from now on. And that will lead small and medium investors to make more conservative or defensive decisions on their main investments.
While on the other hand, and given this macro scenario, the US currency could be pressured by its main rivals this year in case the Federal Reserve Choose to impose a rate cut. Or, on the contrary, before a feasible resolution in the trade dispute between the United States and China. Where the Japanese currency will come out well in its changes with respect to the rest of financial assets of these characteristics. With the opportunity to make operations profitable in a very short time, even in the same trading session.
The golden refuge par excellence
The yellow metal is one of the fixed assets when it consists of safe haven securities. Fundamentally if it is taken into account that any severe retaliation by United States and Iran it could generate a new upward movement in gold prices. As has happened in similar scenarios that have occurred in other historical moments. Because it cannot be forgotten that in the face of any type of risk on the international scene, this raw material can benefit from the panic that occurs in the financial markets and not only in the stock market. With the diversion of a very important part of the monetary flow of large investors.
On the other hand, it is very likely that the yellow metal will become one of the great security bets of this year. In an environment in which inflationary pressures may arise, but also more negative perspectives on the economic growth. Where users try to preserve their capital over other considerations. And in this sense, there is no doubt that gold performs better than other major financial assets. With the opportunity to reach the top of recent years, even though it may be a more temporary bet than others.
United States Bonds
Another of the safest alternatives for the coming years is represented by this class of national bonds. It cannot be forgotten at this point that the demand for US Treasuries has accelerated in the last two years. It should not surprise us that it is a risk-free financial instrument, even when its profitability is not very high. For a reason that small and medium investors should take into account and that is none other than the fact that they are backed by the credit of the United States government. A guarantee to give security to the investment portfolio at times that may be more complicated in other periods.
It should also be noted that this financial instrument can take advantage of the current international economic context. Where major central banks everywhere, including the Bank of Japan (BoJ), the European Central Bank (ECB), and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) have adopted a policy of negative interest rates. Damaging the profitability of banking and fixed income products that can barely exceed the 1% barrier, the lowest in recent decades and which makes it very difficult to place money these days.
Other currencies: Swiss franc
On the other hand, there is another international currency that can be very profitable from now on and it is none other than the Swiss franc. Traditionally and over the years it has been considered as one of the financial assets safer to save money in very complex scenarios for the world's equity markets. To the point that it is considered one of the preferred alternatives by investors who want greater security in their income statement. In this regard, it cannot be forgotten that Switzerland enjoys strong account surpluses, as is currently the case in Japan.
Another incentive to opt for this international currency is the fact that it maintains a much more stable exchange rate compared to other currencies. From this perspective, positions can be taken through different financial instruments, ranging from trading operations to fixed-term bank deposits based on this currency. With much more satisfactory results than through other more conventional investment strategies and that hardly gives you a suggestive interest rate. After the cheaper price of money by the monetary organs of the European Union.
Raw materials: sugar
Few investors can know that this important product is one of the most optimistic of the last six months. To the point that large investors have turned to their positions to try to improve their income statement in this bullish rally that has surprised the world of money and has an unbeatable perspective of revaluation of their prices, at least in the short term. It can be contracted, preferably through investment funds, but also through listed companies that are directly linked to its world production. In particular, those listed on the financial markets of the United States.
Whatever the case, it is another investment that involves some associated risk because at any time volatility can reach its prices in international markets. And as a result of this action, have a serious disappointment in the coming months in the form of depreciation of this financial asset or basically due to a correction in its prices due to the increases generated since August of last year. For this reason, more defensive investors may choose to take positions in the US dollar, which continues to maintain its safe-haven appeal in all scenarios, even the most adverse. It cannot be forgotten that this is the currency of many international companies.
Liquidity and wait for a better chance
Although, finally, we can always resort to improving the liquidity in our savings account as a formula to avoid the least suggestive scenarios for the equity markets. With the advantage that after a few months we can find more competitive prices in the purchase and sale of shares on the stock market. In other words, to achieve a more interesting revaluation potential than it is at the moment and which is, after all, one of the most desired objectives by small and medium investors.
Because despite everything, the possibly favorable evolution that the US stock market is taking, it may mean that the other option you have is to go to the US stock market. With profitability ratios superior to other financial markets. Even though at any time this upward trend can stop since nothing goes up permanently, much less in the Stock Market.