Report
Patrick Artus

Why has the decline in interest rates in OECD countries not had the expected effects?

Real interest rates have declined continuously over the past 20 years in OECD countries. A decline in real interest rates is normally expected to drive up: Investment (by companies, in housing); Asset prices (equities, real estate). But total investment has been stable and, since 2007, asset prices have no longer ris en abnormally. If lower real interest rates lead to large increases in neither investment nor in asset prices, the only explanation is that they must have been offset by a sharp rise in risk aversion or in risk perception and therefore in the risk premia that affect investment choices and asset valuation. Actual developments in financial markets and the return on corporate equity are consistent with such an increase in risk premia.
Provider
Natixis
Natixis

Based across the world’s leading financial centers, Natixis CIB Research offers an integrated view of the markets. The team provides support to inform Natixis clients’ investment and hedging decisions across all asset classes.

 

Analysts
Patrick Artus

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