An investment strategy aligned with what feels right for you
Handing over the management of your wealth with confidence? For many investors, peace of mind is at least as important as returns. With a tailored investment strategy, managed by professional experts, you choose an approach in which human expertise and technology reinforce one another. Mailee Hovsepian, Customer Relationship Manager, speaks with Mark Van Assche, Senior Account Manager Private Banking & Wealth Office at KBC Asset Management, about this combination and how it helps shape well-considered investment decisions.
02-09-2026
How are investors reacting?
Long-term interest rates peak in the US and the eurozone
Higher inflation (expectations) as a result of, among other things, increased energy prices in combination with central bank actions are causing long-term interest rates to rise to levels not seen for more than 10 years.
We have recently seen some volatility in the equity markets as a result of higher bond yields. Technology companies in particular were temporarily under pressure after questions were also raised about the pace at which artificial intelligence is developing. The correction was very limited and share prices are now a few percent below the recent record levels.
What happened in the world?
Persistent inflation keeps pressure on interest rate hikes high
The main focus in recent weeks has been on rising interest rates. Stronger economic figures in the US and Europe showed that economic activity remains more resilient than expected. At the same time, oil prices remained high due to the fact that investors are not anticipating a swift breakthrough in talks between the US and Iran. There had been hopes earlier that they would take place during this week’s United Nations General Assembly, but they failed to materialise. Meanwhile, inflation remains stubbornly high.
As a result, investors increasingly expect central banks to raise interest rates further in order to keep inflation under control.
This web page is published by KBC Asset Management NV (KBC AM). The information and figures it contains are a snapshot, may be changed without notice and offer no guarantee for the future. The information provided should not be regarded as investment advice or as an investment recommendation. No part of this page may be reproduced without the prior express written consent of KBC AM. The information on it is governed by the laws of Belgium and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of its courts. Publisher: KBC Group NV, 2 Havenlaan, 1080 Brussels, Belgium. VAT BE 0403.227.515, RLP Brussels. www.kbcprivatebanking.be.