2016 started badly for investors with worries about global growth and deflation. But global growth turned out okay &, despite political events, rising bond yields & disappointing Australian growth, the result has been a constrained but okay year for diversified investors. 2017 is likely to see another year of okay & maybe even slightly higher global growth, higher inflation, higher bond yields after a pause and divergent monetary conditions as the Fed tightens but other countries stay easy. The RBA is likely to cut rates to 1.25%. Most growth assets, including shares are likely to trend higher, resulting in reasonable returns in 2017. The main things to keep an eye on are US policy under Trump (stimulus v trade wars), the Fed and the $US, bond yields, various European elections, China, and the impact of the rising supply of apartments in Australia. Read on for the events to watch in 2017: (VIEW LINK)