What impact could helicopter money have on the US economy? Charles Hepworth, Investment Director, GAM Investments assesses the ever-evolving situation.

Markets last week scrambled to come to terms with two major exogenous shocks: the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the oil price slump. Such shocks to the global economy are rare. Two huge and unconnected shocks coming within days of each other is an unprecedented event.

On Monday (9 March), equities sold off and credit spreads widened sharply as risk assets had one of their worst days since 2008, at the height of the global financial crisis. Meanwhile, gold and sovereign bonds rallied such that 10-year gilt yields started to approach zero and the whole US Treasury curve fell below 1%.

Lombard Odier Investment Managers (“LOIM”) is expanding its high-conviction sustainable equities offering with the launch of a Climate Transition strategy, which captures opportunities across all sectors, created by the urgent need to transition to a net-zero economy, and adapt to a warmer climate.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued a decision temporarily requiring the holders of net short positions in shares traded on a European Union (EU) regulated market to notify the relevant national competent authority (NCA) if the position reaches or exceeds 0.1% of the issued share capital after the entry into force of the decision.