The Royal Bank of Scotland has advised clients to brace for a full-fledged crash in global stock and credit markets over the next three months as inflation paralyses the major central banks. ‘A very nasty period is soon to be upon us – be prepared,’ said Bob Janjuah, the bank’s credit strategist. A report by the bank’s research team warns that the S&P 500 index of Wall Street equities is likely to fall by more than 300 points to around 1050 by September as ‘all the chickens come home to roost’ from the excesses of the global boom, with contagion spreading across Europe and emerging markets. Such a slide on world bourses would amount to one of the worst bear markets over the last century. RBS said the iTraxx index of high-grade corporate bonds could soar to 130/150 while the ‘Crossover’ index of lower grade corporate bonds could reach 650/700 in a renewed bout of panic on the debt markets. ‘I do not think I can be much blunter. If you have to be in credit, focus on quality, short durations, non-cyclical defensive names. ‘Cash is the key safe haven. This is about […]