The global economy is in its best shape since May 2011, according to the survey, with 35 percent of those contacted saying it is getting better. That’s about twice the number who say the outlook is worsening. European investors were the most upbeat; U.S. respondents the least.
“The positive wealth effect caused by rising stock markets creates a big global confidence boost,” Srinivasan said in an e-mail.
Equity market gains are expected to be widespread. More than three-in-five surveyed forecast the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and the MSCI Asia Pacific Index will be higher six months from now. The U.S. index closed at a five-year high of 1,485.98 in New York on Jan. 18 and the Asian gauge rose 0.3 percent today as of 3:57 p.m. in Tokyo.
Abe’s Election
Perceptions about Japan’s prospects have brightened considerably following the election of Shinzo Abe as prime minister last month. Abe has pledged to revitalize the Japanese economy through both fiscal and monetary means, a program generally viewed optimistically by 54 percent of respondents.
The Bank of Japan said today after a policy meeting it will double its inflation target to 2 percent and move to open-ended asset purchases starting in January 2014.
One-in-five investors say Japanese markets will be among those offering the best opportunities over the next year, the best rating the country has received since the poll began asking that question in October 2009.
A majority see the Nikkei 225 Stock Average rising over the next six months, compared with only one-in-three who thought that in November. The stock gauge slipped 0.4 percent today to close at 10,709.93.
More than three years since the start of Europe’s debt turmoil, the region’s shares are seen as doing better. More than two-in-five investors say the Euro Stoxx 50 Index and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 Index will be higher six months from now, roughly double those forecasting a decline.
Risk Appetite