News & Research

Stocks rose for a third straight month in April, with the STOXX® Global 1800 Index breaking an all-time high, as investors became more convinced that a post-pandemic economic recovery will take hold.

The new futures track 12 STOXX® Industry Neutral Ax Factor Indices covering the European and US markets, which employ an optimized methodology to control factor exposures, diversification and tradability. Zubin Ramdarshan from Eurex and Qontigo’s Hamish Seegopaul explain why the futures offer a unique vehicle for market participants seeking factor-based strategies.

Stocks extended gains in March as countries pushed ahead with their COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, the US passed a new stimulus package and major central banks indicated they are likely to keep interest rates low even as the economy rebounds.

The STOXX Industry Neutral Ax Factor Indices were introduced in February and leverage Axioma’s advanced portfolio-construction tools and risk models. They provide a robust choice for investors looking to reduce unintended exposures and access the return of factors.

Stocks climbed in February on continued hopes for a post-lockdown economic recovery. Benchmark indices pared more than half of their advance at the end of the month following a spike in bond yields and inflation expectations.

By selecting high-dividend stocks within universes screened for responsible-investing principles, the new suite broadens the possibilities for investors and showcases the versatility of index-based strategies.

A new variation of the STOXX Factor Indices, which leverage Axioma’s proven factor models, further restricts sector diversions from the benchmark.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index lost 1% from a record in December, when measured in dollars and including dividends. The index rose 16.9% last year.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index rose 4.3% in dollars in December, cementing a second straight year of double-digit percentage gains, as investors raised expectations that policy support and vaccines will help economies overcome the COVID-19-induced slump.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index surged 12.9% in dollars in November, its largest monthly increase since data begins in 2004, as three drugs manufacturers announced their experimental vaccines are widely effective in preventing the COVID-19 virus.

Returns since Nov. 9 show investors’ ideas about the economy have flipped, favoring Value stocks against the Momentum factor.

The STOXX® Global 1800 Index fell for a second consecutive month in October as governments resumed lockdowns amid a rebounding number of COVID-19 infections.