Q1 2021 – market, economic and MPS update

Head of Active Portfolios Ryan Hughes reviews the performance of the global markets during the first quarter of 2021 – a broadly positive quarter, helped by a largely successful vaccine rollout in some countries and hopes of a strong economic recovery.

As equity markets remained positive with the UK leading the way, there was a major tantrum in the bond market, which saw yields rise sharply on fears of higher inflation and therefore higher interest rates. The quarter also saw massive stimulus from the US, whilst China encountered a major slowdown.

Ryan also explores what this all means for our Passive, Active and Pactive MPSs, before introducing you to our new AJ Bell Responsible MPS: six low-cost growth portfolios designed for investors who care about people and the planet, but still aim to make a profit.

To conclude, Ryan offers his outlook on the remainder of 2021 as economies look to reopen.