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The tailwinds of easier monetary conditions should transmit into global economic activity in 2020 and eventually push global manufacturing Purchasing Manager Indices (PMIs) higher. While the chart above shows global PMIs hovering at that crucial “50” mark, emerging market manufacturing and services PMIs have remained expansionary in 2019, helping that broader metric stay in neutral territory. We expect emerging market PMIs will remain strong in 2020 and lend support to developed markets. Similarly, strength from the services sector of the global economy could also offset the slowdown in manufacturing. This emerging market strength should come from lower policy rates—global short-term rates on a weighted GDP basis should stay around 2% in 2020—targeted reform, and improved external balances, including their current accounts.
Groupthink is bad, especially at investment management firms. Brandywine Global therefore takes special care to ensure our corporate culture and investment processes support the articulation of diverse viewpoints. This blog is no different. The opinions expressed by our bloggers may sometimes challenge active positioning within one or more of our strategies. Each blogger represents one market view amongst many expressed at Brandywine Global. Although individual opinions will differ, our investment process and macro outlook will remain driven by a team approach.
