LONDON (Reuters) – Fears about China’s economic outlook prompted global investors to become less bullish towards equities and other riskier assets in May, a survey of fund managers shows.

The closely-watched monthly survey from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, published on Tuesday, showed investors are now a net 41 percent overweight equities, compared with 47 percent last month and a cycle peak of 57 percent seen in March.

LONDON (Reuters) – A growing trend for companies to return some of their huge cash piles to shareholders rather than using the money to expand their businesses could spell trouble for the global economy.

Their reluctance to invest – which hasn’t affected profits in recent years, breaking a historic link – reflects a lack of confidence in future demand for their products and suggests sustainable private sector-driven growth is still some way off.

LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) – A growing trend for companies to
return some of their huge cash piles to shareholders rather than
using the money to expand their businesses could spell trouble
for the global economy.

Their reluctance to invest – which hasn’t affected profits
in recent years, breaking a historic link – reflects a lack of
confidence in future demand for their products and suggests
sustainable private sector-driven growth is still some way off.

LONDON (Reuters) – Global investors cut back on stocks and bonds in April, lifting cash levels to a seven-month high, on signs the world economy may be heading for softer growth, Reuters polls showed.

Slower-than-expected growth data from China and the United States over the past month, and a sluggish euro zone, have prompted caution. However, fund managers in the monthly asset allocation polls, released on Tuesday, showed no sign of panic.

LONDON (Reuters) – Global investors cut back on stocks and bonds in April, lifting cash levels to a seven-month high, on signs the world economy may be heading for softer growth, Reuters polls showed.

Slower-than-expected growth data from China and the United States over the past month, and a sluggish euro zone, have prompted caution. However, fund managers in the monthly asset allocation polls, released on Tuesday, showed no sign of panic.

LONDON (Reuters) – This month’s plunge in commodities may reinforce a benign growth outlook that will encourage investors to keep taking on risks rather than signalling an imminent collapse in the global economy.

Although the speed and scale of the fall has raised eyebrows, it may be that the world is simply entering a seasonal soft patch, as it did last year. And there are hardly any signs of a major investment shift away from risky assets.