Ocorian: Global assets have given up almost half their gains in March
The value of the world’s assets surged ahead in the first two months of 2025, but in March alone have already given up almost half their gains, shrinking by $3.4 trillion, according to the latest Global Asset Monitor from Ocorian.
Between the New Year and the end of February, the main investable public and private asset classes (listed equities and listed bonds, and private funds investing private equity, private debt, real estate and infrastructure) - expanded by an astonishing $7.8 trillion. The 3.2% increase to a record $250.6 trillion by the end of February reflected strong equity markets and new borrowing by governments and companies on the bond markets, as well as expansion in private asset classes.
The sharp decline in March is driven almost entirely by US equities. Globally, the value of listed companies has fallen $4.0 trillion, 93% of which reflected shrinking US company values. Bond markets, by contrast, are $985bn larger. Private assets have declined, however, down an estimated $326bn since the end of February, driven mainly by lower private equity values.
The world’s assets were worth $247.2 trillion by 12th March 2025, up 1.8% year-to-date.
