Insights

Each month we share the conclusions from the monthly strategy investment committee which provides a summary of Ostrum’s views on the economy, strategy and markets. 

After a difficult year in 2020 and in the wake of the 2021 economic crisis, Ostrum Asset Management (Ostrum AM), an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, anticipates a return to the pre-crisis trend in 2022. However, markets are still expected to be affected by many risk factors and uncertainties. With inflation expectations on the rise, Philippe Waechter, Head of the Economic Research department, Stéphane Déo, Head of Market Strategy and Ibrahima Kobar, Chief Investment Officer at Ostrum AM present their views on the different sectors and asset classes.

Each month we share the conclusions from the monthly strategy investment committee which provides a summary of Ostrum’s views on the economy, strategy and markets. 

Each month we share the conclusions from the monthly strategy investment committee which provides a summary of Ostrum’s views on the economy, strategy and markets. 

In the context of the eurozone equity market, total return is defined as the sum of contributions to earnings per share growth, plus changes in share price compared to earnings (P/E) and dividend growth. Average annual dividend yield is observably higher than share price yield over the past 20 years, while recording lower volatility than earnings per share. During years when the economic climate is undynamic, expanding financial multiples are the main contributor towards capital gains. Conversely, in a situation of broadly distributed growth, EPS growth becomes the leading contributing factor to capital gains. The performance gap between the eurozone and the US is chiefly attributable to share buyback programmes. Share buybacks are prioritised over dividend payments as shareholder pay-out in the US, due to their more advantageous tax treatment. Dynamic allocation to a variety of performance factors provides better control over total return dispersion in the context of active investment management in the equity market.

Investors have a crucial role to play in developing responsible investment, as according to Natixis Investment Managers’ 2021 Investor Insights Report, 70% of investors worldwide want to make a positive impact with their investments. Engagement with corporates on these themes – across both equity and bond investments – is a major driver for responsible practices, but just how can we successfully develop engagement and galvanize this virtuous trend? Find out more from Nathalie Pistre, Head of Research and SRI at Ostrum Asset Management, and Laure Delahousse, Deputy CEO of the French Asset Management Association (Association Française de la Gestion Financière) in our latest episode of the Green Momentum series.