Business activity is slumping and higher inflation persists. Central banks are responding with aggressive rate hikes without fully acknowledging the growth damage. The new regime of macro volatility is taking root with weaker growth, persistent inflation and volatile markets.

BlackRock have argued since March that the energy crunch will drive a recession in Europe The crisis has worsened since then as Russia has halted gas supplies. Plus, the European Central Bank (ECB) isn’t acknowledging how it will crush activity further by trying to fight high inflation, in BlackRock’s view.