There seem to be three large forces shaping the investment climate. First is the resilience of the US economy, with four consecutive quarters of above trend growth. It appears that the US economy may be expanding faster than the 2.4% annualized pace seen in Q2. Many of the largest naysayers have capitulated. Second, the monetary tightening cycle is widely seen as almost over, and many are beginning to fine tune forecasts for the first cut by the major central bank. Rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank are priced in for the first half of next year. Third, the poor economic performance in Europe ... (full story)