10 key drivers for markets in second half of 2012

Asset management house Neuberger Berman has outlined ten macroeconomic trends which could elevate global equity markets and rejuvenate investor sentiment in the second half of the year.

1. Politics: impact in Europe but mostly "noise" Stateside As expected, politics in the US have entered a period of gridlock and important policy decisions such as budget and tax reform have all been postponed. In Europe, we expected intra-governmental interventions to tame the debt crisis but our predictions were premature. The crisis has proven to be more resilient than expected, and we see major events periodically inducing volatility in the markets. 2. Obama wins second term The US elections have yet to take place, but a survey of most recent polls indicates President Obama con...