2018 could be a profitable year for investors for many reasons. However, to mitigate the potential headwinds and take advantage of the many opportunities that are on the horizon, they will need to proceed with caution.

What are the factors that are likely to help investors receive decent recents next year? There are, I believe, three main points to consider.

First, global GDP growth is speeding up. What’s more, this growth is fairly evenly balanced, with most major economies growing at an acceptable rate. Crucially, China is now growing at a more robust pace than had previously been expected and the Eurozone is enjoying an upturn. Strong GDP growth is translating into good corporate earnings growth, which supports share prices.

Second, although more interest rate hikes are expected from the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of England in 2018, interest rates will remain low by historic standards. Cash will remain an unattractive asset class, and bond yields will continue to be slender. We can expect this to further boost stock market indices.

And third, tax cuts in the U.S. could help boost the American economy and stock market which, in turn, will positively impact global economic growth and global stocks.

Those are three robust reasons to be cheerful. But what about the headwinds that could adversely impact returns? Again, I believe there are three significant matters on which to keep an eye in the coming year.

First, inflation has remained remarkably low in recent years, despite falling unemployment in all the major economies. It is possible that 2018 is the year that tight labour markets finally result in wage increases that cause a meaningful rise in inflation. If so, central bankers will have to markedly tighten policy – that’s to say raise rates and/or withdraw Quantitative Easing. In this scenario, government bonds would weaken but equities would have some protection since they can pass on inflation to the consumer, in higher selling prices. Eventually, though, they too will suffer as higher interest rates curb borrowing and investment, and consumption falls in response.

Second, free trade is under fire. President Trump does not believe in multilateral trade agreements and could yet tear up NAFTA. He has voiced objections to individual trade agreements also, not least that with South Korea, and has in the past threatened 40 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports. Protectionism leads to higher prices and inflation, leading to a sharp fall in Treasury prices (and a rise in yields) that will be echoed on global bond markets. Risk assets will fall notably as investors buy into higher bond yields, or shelter in cash or gold.

And third, China’s economy could slow. As President Xi Jinping re-orientates the economy away from a focus on rapid growth dominated by infrastructure investment and exports, towards services and household consumption, the government could become less willing to prop up failing industries and bankroll leveraged investors. At the same time, an increased focus on state control of the economy risks damaging entrepreneurial confidence. A slow down in China’s growth would trigger a slow down in global demand and re-awaken fears of global deflation.

No-one can accurately predict the future. However, whether it is sustained steadiness or more volatility that lies ahead in 2018, one message should be clear: to keep on investing.

Why?

Because economic history shows that over time, markets go up. For this reason, that time-honoured investment saying that it is all about ‘time in the market, not timing the market’ has led many investors to financial success.

Here’s to a successful 2018!

Nigel Green is founder and CEO of deVere Group. One of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organizations, de Vere does business in 100 countries and has more than $12 billion under advisement.