Markets in 1H2022 – As tough as it could be
Markets in 1H2022 – As tough as it could be The first half of the current calendar 2022 was perhaps one of the toughest six month periods for the global markets. In fact, for global equities, the 20% fall in MSCI All Countries index 1H2022 during 1H2022 is the worst ever on record. The global government bonds are also having the worst year in 150years, as the global central bankers reversed the course of monetary policy. Indian benchmark yields have risen 14.5% during 1H2022. Energy and Food prices have risen in this period, largely due to war between Russia and Ukraine; but other commodities like industrial metals, steel, and precious metals have mostly shown a downward trend. Gold (-1.3%) is trading marginally lower while silver (-15.6%) has lost in line with industrial metals. The new age assets like cryptocurrencies have also been decimated in the global melee. The bellwether bitcoin lost over 58% of its value during 1H2022. USD has gained close to 10% during 1H2022, while JP...