Skip to main content
Back

Global Macro Outlook Q4 2022: A difficult climb ahead

Macroeconomic Strategy Team

7 October 2022

A period of slowing growth

Investors hoping for a return of Goldilocks-like trading conditions are likely to find themselves disappointed in the coming months. In our view, the global growth picture—which will be reflected in the trading environment—appears set to deteriorate through the rest of 2022 and to remain weak in the first half of 2023.

Much of current market commentary seems overly focused on whether the global economy or a specific region will slip into recession. We’ve always felt that such a binary “will it, won’t it” framing isn’t helpful. What’s more important is how quickly we’re likely to enter a period of very slow growth and how long it will last. In our view, we could be looking at between four and six quarters. For context, we do expect the United States, Canada, and Europe to slip into recession next year: Stagflationary dynamics—which have been amplified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—remain at play and make for a challenging backdrop for risk assets.

Stagflationary dynamics could persist until the end of 2022, YoY (%)

Source: Bloomberg, Macrobond, Manulife Investment Management, as of September 15, 2022. YoY refers to year over year. The gray area represents a recession.

 

Macro anchors that could shape risk markets in the coming months

1 Slowing growth in China

The economic costs of the country’s dynamic zero-COVID policy mount as the fear of additional large-scale lockdowns persists. Slowing global growth would also likely mean a reduction in global appetite for Chinese exports.

2 Inflationary pressures should ease, but inflation is likely to remain elevated

Inflationary pressures should unwind gradually over the coming months, but they’re likely to remain at elevated levels through the rest of 2022 and into next year.

3 Central bank tightening as a headwind to growth

Global central bank tightening in both developed markets and emerging markets will contribute to deteriorating global liquidity conditions and act as a headwind to growth. 

A challenging few months ahead

In our view, the prognosis is clear: We’re entering a challenging period for risk markets, in the short term at least. The broader geopolitical environment doesn’t help, as two important events—the Chinese Communist Party Congress in October and the U.S. mid-term elections in late 2022—will no doubt dominate market chatter. In times like these, it’s important to consider enhancing portfolio resilience. While it’s true that opportunities can emerge in times of uncertainty and volatility, it’s just as important for investors to cut through the white noise in the near term and train their goals on the longer term.

Download the full version

  • Global Macro Outlook Q3 2023: The long and winding road

    At the time of writing, only the eurozone and New Zealand have slipped into recession (as defined by two consecutive quarters of negative growth). But don’t pop the champagne just yet: We see this as a case of recession postponed rather than canceled. Read more.

    Read more
  • Asian High Yield: Building resiliency amid volatility

    Although emerging from a difficult period, Asian-high-yield is positioned to weather the current market volatility due to regional economic strength and unique asset class characteristics.

    Read more
  • Global Healthcare: Enhanced innovation in a post-COVID environment

    We discuss the attractiveness of allocating to the healthcare sector in the current economic environment and outlines why it warrants a long-term allocation.

    Read more
See all
  • 2024 Outlook Series: Global Healthcare Equities

    2023 was a tumultuous year for equity markets and the healthcare sector. For 2024, we maintain a sense of considerable optimism for the performance of healthcare equities and the underlying key subsector themes.

    read more
  • Asset allocation outlook: proceed with caution

    There were a number of key economic and market themes in flux in 2023, most notably a global economic environment that held up stronger than most market participants predicted. As 2024 gets under way, we look at some of the themes driving our asset allocation outlook.

    read more
  • A brighter 2024 outlook for U.S. regional banks as rates and deposit costs change course

    With interest rates appearing to have peaked and lenders’ deposit costs easing, 2024 could turn out to be a far more hospitable year for U.S. regional banks than 2023.

    read more
see all
Confirm