Dear Readers, The new data of the capital market seismograph reach us just now. "The climate shift on the capital market, which has been the subject of discussion for quite some time, is now reflected in the probabilities of the seismograph and leads to the recommendation of a strong reduction in the share quota", Oliver Schlick informs, "the advice is to reduce the weight of shares considerably." As you know, the capital market seismograph distinguishes between three phases: "green" (quiet market = buy), "yellow" (turbulent market with positive expectation = invest, but with hedge) and "red" (turbulent market with negative expectation = do not invest).

Dear Readers, we have read a lot about the topic "Italy" in the last days. Lucas Daalder, Robeco's chief investment strategist, wrote a very good summary. Of particular interest is his analysis of the distribution of Italy's public debt. Contrary to what is often said, Italy is obviously not primarily indebted to its own countrymen. Major creditors are foreigners (35 per cent) and central banks (just under 20 per cent) This underlines Italy's potential for blackmail in the negotiations with the other euro countries. Political stock markets may have short legs. In the long term, the path to a transfer union, which is also discussed in the current issue of private wealth (see Lerbacher Runde, page 57ff.), is a danger that should not be...

Dear Readers, The European Central Bank has given concrete form to its medium-term policy guideline. It will continue its bond purchase program until September 2018, but will reduce the monthly purchase volume from currently 60 to 30 billion. However, the Lerbach Round does not see this as a fundamental turnaround in monetary policy. Instead, it interprets the ECB's plan as a signal that monetary policy will remain very loose.

The slight easing in the trade conflict between the USA and the European Union makes it less likely that Donald Trump - as originally announced - will now be able to increase customs duties on cars from the EU in the near future. However, according to the Lerbach Round Table, the trade issue is far from being off the table for investors. In the dispute between the USA and China there are still no signs of rapprochement. Investors - according to the professionals - should therefore be cautious in the coming months. The Lerbach Round Table is a competence group of 40 bankers, family officers and asset managers that was founded in 2017 by private wealth and the asset manager Robeco. The aim is to provide wealthy investors with answers to current...

Dear Readers, The Munich-based ifo Institute presented the August results of its survey on the business climate and business expectations. According to the report, the mood in the German economy has deteriorated noticeably recently. The important expectation component in the manufacturing industry has even fallen below its long-term average. This puts the industry back in the downturn quadrant of the ifo watch. The ifo traffic light is now also "red" again (graphics below).