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Mar 15, 2021

The pandemic is entering a new phase with vaccines at hand, case counts in decline and businesses gradually resuming normal operations. Bond yields have surged, stocks have climbed to records and a variety of market signals suggest that economies are on the cusp of a strong recovery.

Economy

  • Containing COVID-19 has been critical to the economic recovery, which is now underway and has much more room to grow supported by significant monetary and fiscal stimulus.
  • There is concern that inflation could run too hot as economies reopen. Our view is that inflation will move higher but remain at low levels relative to history.
  • Risks to the growth outlook include the distribution of vaccines and their efficacy against new variants and the possibility of another virus wave.
  • Our base case scenario is quite constructive as economic forecasts were mostly upgraded from last quarter and remain above consensus.

RBC GAM GDP forecast for developed markets

RBC GAM GDP forecast for developed markets

Source: RBC GAM

Fixed Income

  • Longer-term bond yields have surged as investors’ expectations of faster inflation and better economic growth are offsetting the impact of central-bank efforts to hold rates down.
  • Part of the increase was due to real, or after-inflation, interest rates rising from unsustainably low levels. Real rates could rise even higher but increases are limited by structural changes in the economy.
  • The recent surge in global yields has dampened the acute valuation risk that existed in the bond market and we think that bond prices could find near-term support at current levels.

10-year government bond yields

10-year government bond yields

Note: as of February 28, 2021. Source: RBC GAM

Equity Markets

  • Global equities rose to new highs as the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations progressed, virus counts declined and earnings exceeded expectations.
  • We recognize there is froth in some areas of the market and that valuations are elevated, but our modelling suggests the possibility that price-to-earnings ratios could rise even further as fears of the crisis fade and interest rates return to normal levels.
  • The economic recovery has stoked a rotation out of traditional U.S. large-cap leadership into other more economically sensitive areas of the market, driving rallies in small and mid-cap stocks, financials and industrials, and value stocks overall.
  • Although the advantage of stocks over bonds has diminished somewhat as a result of rising yields, equities continue to offer an attractive risk premium versus fixed income. As a result, we are maintaining our overweight position in stocks and underweight in bonds.

S&P 500 earnings yield

12-month trailing earnings/index level

S&P 500 earnings yield

Note: As of February 28, 2021. Source: RBC GAM, RBC CM

Discover more insights from this quarter's Global Investment Outlook.

Disclosure

This document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) for informational purposes only and may not be reproduced, distributed or published without the written consent of RBC GAM or its affiliated entities listed herein. This document does not constitute an offer or a solicitation to buy or to sell any security, product or service in any jurisdiction; nor is it intended to provide investment, financial, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice and such information should not be relied or acted upon for providing such advice. This document is not available for distribution to people in jurisdictions where such distribution would be prohibited.



RBC GAM is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which includes RBC Global Asset Management Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, and BlueBay Asset Management LLP, which are separate, but affiliated subsidiaries of RBC.



In Canada, this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) which is regulated by each provincial and territorial securities commission with which it is registered. In the United States, this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc., a federally registered investment adviser. In Europe this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In Asia, this document is provided by RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which is registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong.



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This document has not been reviewed by, and is not registered with any securities or other regulatory authority, and may, where appropriate, be distributed by the above-listed entities in their respective jurisdictions.



Any investment and economic outlook information contained in this document has been compiled by RBC GAM from various sources. Information obtained from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by RBC GAM, its affiliates or any other person as to its accuracy, completeness or correctness. RBC GAM and its affiliates assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions.



Opinions contained herein reflect the judgment and thought leadership of RBC GAM and are subject to change at any time. Such opinions are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be investment or financial advice and should not be relied or acted upon for providing such advice. RBC GAM does not undertake any obligation or responsibility to update such opinions.



RBC GAM reserves the right at any time and without notice to change, amend or cease publication of this information.



Past performance is not indicative of future results. With all investments there is a risk of loss of all or a portion of the amount invested. Where return estimates are shown, these are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as a prediction of returns; actual returns may be higher or lower than those shown and may vary substantially, especially over shorter time periods. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.



Some of the statements contained in this document may be considered forward-looking statements which provide current expectations or forecasts of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties. Do not place undue reliance on these statements because actual results or events may differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Before making any investment decisions, we encourage you to consider all relevant factors carefully.



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© RBC Global Asset Management Inc. 2021

Publication date: (March 15, 2021)