Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Richard Drew/AP

The world’s best-performing asset in the last year… Irish government bonds

Anyone who bought Irish bonds second-hand 12 months ago must be feeling pretty smug by now…

THE BEST PERFORMER in the world over the past year: Irish government bonds, returning 19.0 per cent.

The icing on the cake? The best performer in the entire world over the last six months is… Irish equities, returning 15.3 per cent.

It’s a double feature. Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s global equity strategists led by Michael Hartnett attribute this to the effects of “The 3R’s: Restructuring, Recapitalisation, and Regime change”.

In a note to clients, they write:

The Irish Restructured debt, Recapitalised banks and voted for Regime change (austerity). Indebted countries that fail to implement fiscal contraction will see markets do job for them. Only way to get ahead of severe debt dynamics is “Big Bang”.

Without common sense fiscal policy that allows periphery to refinance debt at reasonable terms, European equities should not be owned, in our opinion.

Markets simply want: global policy coordination; a clear exit plan for Greece; firepower to support peripheral bonds in exchange for credible austerity.

We know what they want; we’ll see what they get here pretty soon.

- Matthew Boesler

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 29 comments
Close
29 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds