Global stocks face a perfect storm of risks

Global stock markets are entering a critical phase as economic and financial risks continue to accumulate. Oil prices, driven higher in part by geopolitical tensions, could add to inflationary pressures by increasing transportation, production and household energy costs. These pressures are emerging against a backdrop of slower global growth and unprecedented debt levels. Under the International Monetary Fund’s reference forecast, global growth is expected to slow from approximately 3.4 percent