Renewed risk appetite for investors

A renewed appetite for risk has seen investor confidence rise globally, according to State Street's investor confidence index (ICI).

The global ICI rose eight points to 114.6 in March with the North American ICI at 123.6 from 109.4, the European ICI at 95.3 from 90.2, and the Asian ICI at 112.2 from 111.5.

State Street Global Exchange executive vice president and chief innovation officer, Jessica Donohue, said "we have seen a rebound in global sentiment in March after one of the worst starts on record".

"Oil prices have rallied and market volatility has subsided leading to a renewed enthusiasm for risk," she said.

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Also commenting, ICI co-developer, Kenneth Froot, said the upturn in confidence was a result from rebounding markets.

"As the US economy remains on solid footing and continues growing at a moderate pace, risk seeking sentiment was boosted by more than 14 points in March, the sharpest increase in 12 months," Froot said.

"It will be interesting to see how the Fed's cautious stance continues to play into North American investor confidence and investor confidence globally."