Research and Perspectives

The dramatic downturn in the financial markets spurred by concerns about COVID-19 is reminiscent of the Great Recession of 2008. But we’ve learned some lessons since then. Those close to retirement and watching their IRA or 401(k) values drop may have a silver lining.

As the coronavirus continues to spread beyond China and Asia, Americans are increasingly concerned not just about the potential negative impact it could have on their health, but also about the implications for their personal finances and the state of the U.S. economy overall, according to new research released by Prudential.

Wellness programs work, according to the people who use them. That’s the key finding from a new survey of 2,000 Americans employed by organizations that offer health wellness benefits in addition to traditional medical insurance.

The financial experience of Americans is as varied and diverse as the country we call home. While Americans from all backgrounds share common financial goals and worries—most revolving around meeting day-to-day expenses and saving for retirement—many are impacted by additional factors that underlie and sometimes impede our ability to achieve financial security.

Trade tensions and the ongoing crisis in emerging markets top the downside risks. Trade uncertainty has now seeped into the GDP and business confidence data for Europe and Japan, while the combination of trade tensions, fears of Turkish lira contagion, and Fed rate hikes have contributed to slowdowns in a number of EMs, including China. On balance: The near-term risk of a global downturn remains very low. But storm clouds are gathering.

When investors recall the third quarter of 2018, many may cite the fractures that occurred in certain corners of the fixed income market. In its fourth-quarter outlook, PGIM Fixed Income evaluates the extent of the damage, the factors that contributed to the periodic volatility, how these issues may unfold going forward, and the nature of the opportunities that lie ahead.