Finance & economics | Christmas bonus

The causes of a booming stockmarket are unlikely to last through 2020

Global growth, a trade deal and lower rates have added oomph to shares

|NEW YORK

THE CHRISTMAS of 2018 was a dismal one for American stockmarket investors. Meagre gains eked out through a volatile year were reversed at its end, on fears of slowing global growth and all-out trade war between America and China. The S&P index of large companies tumbled by 15% between November 30th and December 24th that year. Many thought a recession was imminent.

This article appeared in the Finance & economics section of the print edition under the headline “Christmas bonus”

Poles apart: China, America and the planet's biggest break-up

From the January 4th 2020 edition

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