The first quarter of 2016 saw the return of volatility in equities post the first rate hike by the Federal Reserve (Fed) since the advent of the financial crisis. Despite the furious rally in stocks in March, the weak start to the year left equities with negative returns in aggregate. Commodities were finally able to halt the freefall in prices during the period in aggregate largely due to strength in metal prices early in the period and strength in agricultural and energy commodities later in the period. Bonds emerged as the clear winner for the period as strong performance in the first two months on “safe-haven” flows saw only minor dilution by a pullback in March.
Source : Invesco Real Estate