Future real returns - the debate

[chca]

Interesting chart from the Economist based on a recent Crédit Suisse report…

Young people stand to make dismal returns on their investments

credit-suisse-global-investment-returns-yearbook-2021-summary-edition.pdf

How did they come up with these numbers? “…current bond yields to indicate future bond returns. It then adds our estimated equity risk premium (relative to bills) of around 3½% on a geometric mean basis to provide a projection of equity returns” (pg. 27).

I’m not sure I buy into their (or anyone’s) attempt to predict the future, but the case for future real returns over the next decades being weaker than those of the past few decades is certainly quite strong.

[dbu]

Isn’t “future real returns” an oxymoron?
All they can try to predict are the expected returns, by definition.
[edit: Thanks nabalzbhf for the correction :)]

P.S. Yes I am also more conservative with my expectations vs. last decade’s returns.

P.P.S. Wasn’t there a similar topic opened up recently? Perhaps we can blend them.

[Zerte2]

“Predictions are always difficult, especially those about the future.”

[nabalzbhf]

@dbu

Isn’t “future real returns” an oxymoron?

In that context real means inflation adjusted.