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2024 will be a strong year for gold. Our expectation of ongoing price increases for the yellow metal is driven by several factors, namely the global decline in inflation, weaker USD exchange rates, increasing concerns regarding US debt sustainability, central bank gold purchases, the resilience of gold trading, and ongoing geopolitical risks.

Confirmation that inflation is falling around the world could be the best news we get in 2024.

We don’t expect central banks to cut rates before the second half of 2024.

The importance of a financial centre or bank cannot be assessed based on assets under management alone. First and foremost, what makes Switzerland the world leader in cross-border private banking is the excellent service and management know-how it offers, rather than the volume of assets it manages.

Union Bancaire Privée reports net profit of CHF 223.8 million, up 6.4% year on year.

Portfolio construction is back to the forefront in 2024.

The sort of infrastructure that traditionally springs to mind might include bridges, roads, airports, rail and power. However, it can be argued in many cases that the infrastructure built over the last few decades is no longer fit for the future needs of society, given the heightened geopolitical risk, changing demographics, and environmental considerations. 

Rising interest rates have disrupted risk distribution in public and private markets, ushering in a new era distinct from the previous decade of suppressed risks and ample liquidity due to the "Fed put".

Following up on its wish list published last month, UBP’s Impact team has looked at the outcomes of COP28, specifically as regards a call to action, the climate and nature agendas, adaptation, fossil fuels, and (once again) carbon pricing.

Electrification, weight-loss drugs, AI, digitalisation, cryptocurrencies, ESG darlings, 3D printing and the metaverse are some of the various themes that have been moving global markets recently. However, constantly shifting business environments and rapid technological advances can sometimes lead to a bubble-bursting situation for some themes and their major players.

Asian Private Banker, Twinkle Sparta (27.11.2023) - For many non-Chinese private banks and wealth managers like UBP, the first foray into the Chinese wealth market is to target local wealthy family office clients.

Markets now offer a wide range of solutions that will need to be implemented intelligently and in an agile way in 2024.