Markets in turmoil: Coronavirus, the Fed and where markets go from hereMarketsinturmoil:Coronavirus,theFedandwheremarketsgofromhere

A panel of PGIM experts agree that keeping a long-term perspective is vital as the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 plays out.

“The coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity.”

It was that relatively mundane statement that accompanied the anything-but-mundane announcement from the Federal Reserve on March 3 that it was slashing the fed funds rate by 50 basis points.

In a string of ongoing surprises surrounding the increasingly ubiquitous virus, the Fed’s decision may have been the biggest to date. At least in its timing. It was further evidence that the unrelenting spread of the coronavirus has the world reeling and has left investors grappling with market volatility not seen since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago.

Not surprisingly, investors have many questions surrounding the rate cut and the impact of the virus on global economies and on financial markets. In light of that, PGIM, the $1.3 trillion asset management arm* of Prudential Financial, Inc., held a call on March 3 to address those concerns and offer guidance on what may influence markets going forward. The call was hosted by Cameron Lochhead, the global head of PGIM’s Institutional Relationship Group, and featured senior investment professionals from three of PGIM’s autonomous businesses: Ed Campbell, managing director and a portfolio manager at QMA, Mike Collins, managing director and senior portfolio manager at PGIM Fixed Income, and Warren Koontz, managing director and head of value equity at Jennison.

Read their views on the coronavirus impact and more market insights at pgim.com/marketevents.