Schroders Investment Weather Forecast: Global equity outlook finely balanced

A US-led recovery
The positive for equities is that the US is leading the global recovery and the economy continues to power ahead. Economic data generally has been strong and that is expected to continue in 2015.

Oil price slump to aid consumption
For countries that are very dependent on oil like India, Indonesia and Japan, the fall in oil prices provide a significant boost to consumers and to companies operating within those countries.

European risks remain
The principal danger for global equities is the continued weakness in developed market economies like Europe. The region looks to be at real risk of deflation in 2015 and that would be negative for global equities overall.

Oil stripping Brazil of purchasing power
While the oil price trend is positive for some emerging market countries, it is negative for others such as Brazil, which is a big oil exporter and is suffering badly from the decline in energy prices.

Overview
While the recovery in the US is boosting investor optimism, the falling oil price is having both positive and negative impacts on emerging market economies. This, combined with concerns in Europe, could weigh on global equities overall in 2015.

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