Byron is Vice Chairman of Blackstone advisory partners. I have signed up to a commentary email from him, and this monthās email summarises his ā10 Surprisesā for 2019, basically the stuff he has assigned as probable, i.e. >50% likelihood. Thought it may be of interest, so I have copied the key part below.
This isnāt my work and isnāt advice, just something to stimulate thought 
Every year I seek help from many sources in preparing the Surprises. My colleague Joe Zidle played an important role in this yearās Surprises and will be a major collaborator on the Surprises going forward. George Soros reviewed my ideas as he has since they began back in the 1980s. Gideon Rose and Dan Kurtz-Phelan of the Council on Foreign Relations gave me their thoughts on the geopolitical surprises. My Third Thursday group of former research directors provided their annual observations and many friends and associates at Blackstone and elsewhere contributed their ideas. In the end, however, the Surprises are mine and I am accountable for the results. Now on to 2019. I will discuss them in detail in my February essay.
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1. The weakening world economy encourages the Federal Reserve to stop raising the federal funds rate during the year. Inflation remains subdued and the 10-year Treasury yield stays below 3.5%. The yield curve remains positive.
2. Partly because of no further rate increases by the Federal Reserve and more attractive valuations as a result of the market decline at the end of 2018, the S&P 500 gains 15% for the year. Rallies and corrections occur but improved earnings enable equities to move higher in a reasonably benign interest rate environment.
3. Traditional drivers of GDP growth, capital spending and housing, make only modest gains in 2019. The expansion continues, however, because of consumer and government spending. A recession before 2021 seems unlikely.
4. The better tone in the financial markets discourages precious metal investors. Gold drops to $1,000 as the equity markets in the United States and elsewhere improve.
5. The profit outlook for emerging markets brightens and investor interest intensifies because the price earnings ratio is attractive compared to developed markets and historical levels. Continuous expansion of the middle class in the emerging markets provides the consumer buying thrust for earnings growth. China leads and the Shanghai composite rises 25%. The Brazil equity market also comes to life under the countryās new conservative leadership.
6. March 29 comes and goes and there is no Brexit deal. Parliament fails to approve one and Theresa May, arguing that a change in leadership wonāt help the situation, remains in office. A second referendum is held and the U.K. votes to remain.
7. The dollar stabilizes at year-end 2018 levels and stays there throughout the year. Because of concern about the economy, the Federal Reserve stops shrinking its balance sheet, which is interpreted negatively by currency traders. The flow of foreign capital into United States assets slows because of a softer monetary policy and a lack of need for new capital for business expansion.
8. The Mueller investigation results in indictments against members of the Trump Organization closest to the president but the evidence doesnāt support any direct action against Trump himself. Nevertheless, an exodus of Trumpās most trusted advisors results in a crisis in confidence that the administration has the people and the process to accomplish important goals.
9. Congress, however, with a Democratic majority, gets more done than expected, particularly on trade policy. Progress is made in preserving important parts of the Affordable Care Act and immigration policy. A federal infrastructure program to be implemented in 2020 is announced.
10. Growth stocks continue to provide leadership in the U.S. equity market. Technology and biotech do well as a result of continued strong earnings. Value stocks other than energy-related businesses disappoint because of the slowing economy.
ALSO RANS
Every year there are always a few Surprises that do not make the Ten because either I do not think they are as relevant as those on the basic list or I am not comfortable with the idea that they are āprobable.ā
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11. Geopolitical tensions increase. Iran continues to destabilize the Middle East and Kim Jong Un fails to live up to his North Korea denuclearization promises. Secretary of State Pompeo and National Security Advisor Bolton make statements indicating the United States may take pre-emptive action in both places, thereby causing one of several sharp market sell-offs. But in spite of hostile rhetoric, the United States does not go to war with anyone as we approach the 2020 election. Trumpās tough talk on some issues like trade works, however, and leads to successful diplomatic negotiations on national security.
12. In desperation China engages in ambitious infrastructure programs to bolster its economy. China grows at 6.5% real, but the increased debt causes concern around the world and has a negative impact on the renminbi.
13. China announces, āWe want to be the world leaders in free trade.ā It sends envoys around the globe to negotiate better bilateral trade terms in order to offset the losses from the ongoing U.S. disagreements. Joint ventures in which foreign companies control the majority share are initiated in all sectors, from industrials and autos to raw materials. As Chinaās influence around the world becomes greater, the U.S. further isolates itself.
14. The European Central Bank is forced to restart quantitative easing in response to a defiant Italy, a weakening Germany and Brexit. Thwarting expectations that Brexit would bring the rest of Europe closer together, Italy realizes that it can break all fiscal rules without any fear of punishment from the E.U. As a result, the Italian economy falls into recession, debt spreads surge and the ECB is forced to liquefy the system again.
So there they are: The Ten Surprises of 2019. Now letās see how the year plays out.
This month we made several changes to our āRadicalā Asset Allocation. First we cut our recommended weight in Japan to 5% and added that weight to U.S. long only, bringing that weight to 15%. We believe that long only in the U.S. represents a better opportunity in 2019 than Japan. We kept cash at 10%, waiting for further tactical opportunities to develop.
If you want more detail or to sign up the emails you can do that here