American Independence Day: outlook for US markets

INDEPENDENCE DAY EQUITIES

Following Independence Day on 4 July, Investment Week asks leading fund managers for their views on the future of the US market

RICK PATEL Fidelity US Dollar Bond The availability and cost of credit as a result of the financial crisis is no longer as large a concern for higher-quality firms. Instead, the focus has evolved to a lack of demand for credit by these firms. Even with relatively low funding costs, investment grade companies may still be hesitant to increase capital expenditure and further increase inventory levels. There is a lack of confidence in the sustainability of economic growth given the unwinding of fiscal stimulus measures and the rebuilding of private sector savings, and there is uncer...