Market conditions in 2022 have been highly challenging for all investors and AFM members have not been immune from this. In particular, the traditionally safe and lower volatility fixed income assets favoured by most insurers have seen significant drawdowns over 2022 as central banks swung from ultra-loose policy into an aggressive tightening cycle in response to post-Covid supply constraints and the Ukraine conflict. While the re-pricing of assets is creating opportunities within fixed income, broader diversification may be required in a more inflation-prone world and it’s not obvious yet that stock markets have fully factored in recession risks.

 RLAM’s Trevor Greetham (Head of Multi-Asset) and Melanie Baker (Senior Economist) put the events of 2022 into context and offer views on how portfolios can be best positioned for the year ahead.