Conning Sees 2012 as a Year to Expand

In their weekly market update released on January 3, Conning alludes to how 2012 should be a year of growth. They see upticks in manufacturing, mortgage applications and vehicle sales as being a sign that consumers are spending again and they hope to invest for their clients accordingly. 

Conning is also looking at 2012 as year where they will expand globally, offering niche products that dovetail with their own global expansion plans. Though they forsee lingering trouble in Europe. According to the same market report, the low-rate loans that were constructed to provide capital to banks coupled with measures to control inflation and the availability of "easy money" may create a perfect storm. With austerity measures being put in place, the way countries handle any social unrest will also be closely scrutinized.