A higher-than-expected reading on US jobless claims rekindled expectations of earlier interest rate cuts this year, helping US equities to close at their highest levels ever. After the Swedish Riksbank cut interest rates on Wednesday, the Bank of England gave clear indications at its policy meeting yesterday that rate cuts are on the horizon. Meanwhile, demand for corporate bonds remains very strong, although risk premiums on debt remain very tight. And Hong Kong stocks are rising on a report...

While European markets ended the day firmly in the green yesterday, US equities struggled as investors remained fixated on when the Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates. Asian markets followed the US lower, with Japanese equities underperforming and the recent rally in Hong Kong and mainland China came to a halt. Oil fell close to its lowest level since mid-March, while gold held steady this morning. Mathieu Racheter, Head of Equity Strategy, and Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM...

Global equity markets are rallying further as investors continue to revise their Fed policy bets after last week’s softer US jobs data. Asian stocks are hitting 15-month highs on renewed confidence in US interest rate cuts, while encouraging PMI data shows further evidence that the eurozone economy is healing. And as Bitcoin shows renewed strength, Manuel Villegas, Next Generation Research, provides us with an update on digital assets. 00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment...

Fed Chair Powell’s ‘No hike’ message and weaker-than-expected labour market data was the perfect combination for a strong end to the week for financial markets. Off the back of this, equity markets continued their uptrend after a difficult start to the month. And Chinese equities joined other regions in entering bull market territory. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, talks about the improved sentiment for equity markets after April’s weakness, why he expects US Treasury yields to...

Swiss inflation data yesterday showed that the Swiss National Bank is in a comfortable position compared to its peers, but Swiss equity markets are clearly underperforming year-to-date. Strong earnings reports lifted US equities while markets also breathed a sigh of relief that the Fed meeting was less hawkish than feared. Oil and gold are both higher this morning as investors turn their attention to macroeconomic data releases later this afternoon. Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM Solutions in...

After the US Fed announced a hold in interest rates as expected, Fed chair Powell said that fighting inflation was taking longer than expected but he poured cold water on speculation that the central bank’s next move would be to raise rates. Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, discusses the recent spike in the price of gold and assesses the impact of Chinese demand and central bank buying. 00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing) 00:31 Markets wrap-up by Jonti...

German inflation accelerated for the first time since December, while China PMI data releases point to a slowly healing economy and Tesla's 15% gain helps the S&P 500 close slightly higher. Japanese stocks are gaining, with the focus on yesterday's currency intervention. Samsung's profits rise on AI demand for its chips, while German carmakers report a drop in profits. Manuel Villegas, Next Generation Research, says that macro-economic factors are in the driving seat when it comes to...

Equity markets ended a volatile week on a strong note, with US markets recording their best week since November. Earnings generally boosted markets, although US inflation and activity data were worrying, and yields remained elevated. In the commodities space, M&A talks are adding some noise as miners look to increase their share of copper production. Markus Wachter from our Technical Analysis team talks about the technical setup of the markets and what to expect from equities, currencies...

While central bankers in Europe are sending signals that monetary easing may be around the corner, the Bank of Japan left its key interest rate unchanged overnight. Meanwhile in the US, stocks tumbled after data showed a sharp slowdown in economic growth and pointed to persistent inflation. The earnings season continues to make headlines, particularly the big tech companies, whilst Anglo American has rejected BHP's takeover bid. Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM Solutions in Geneva, joins the...

Markets have had a challenging 24 hours, with equities flat in the US but lower in Europe as bonds sold off and disappointing revenue guidance from Meta weighed particularly on the tech sector overnight. Our Head of Economics & Next Generation Research, Norbert Rücker, talks about the energy market amid geopolitical risks, and Nicolas Jordan from the CIO office talks about the impact of endogenous and exogenous risks on markets and how they have adjusted their asset allocation amidst the...

While the earnings season remains in focus, yesterday’s release of PMI data from around the globe helped to assess the economic environment. Equity markets across the board posted positive gains as investors bought into the dip in tech stocks and a strong batch of corporate earnings eased concerns about higher interest rates. In the Asia-Pacific region, Australia reported a slowdown in inflation, while the Bank of Japan is again said to be looking at currency intervention. Mathieu Racheter,...

Following last week’s worst selloff in a year, US equities turned a corner yesterday as the risks of a Middle East escalation appeared to ease. Investor sentiment was decidedly more risk-on as this week’s corporate earnings and economic data shifted into focus. Dario Messi, Fixed Income Strategy, discusses the impact of geopolitics on bond markets and talks about emerging market debt in the current climate. 00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing) 00:25 Markets wrap-up by...

Markets are in a rallying mood this morning, with most major Asia-Pacific equity markets up on the lack of signs of further escalation in the Middle East. This follows a dismal end to the week in US trading, with the AI darlings in particular weighing on markets. And Richard Tang, our Head of Research in Hong Kong, takes us on a tour of Asia in 80 seconds and explains why Japan remains his top pick. 00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing) 01:14 Markets wrap-up by Roman...

European and US equity index futures declined overnight as global markets were rocked by fresh conflict in the Middle East that sent stocks lower while oil and safe-haven assets are trading higher. The Fed is hammering home its patient rhetoric. And Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, joins the show today to tell us more about the adage 'sell in May and go away' and what to expect from equity market seasonality in the coming months. 00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment...

US equities were lower again in yesterday’s afternoon session, with a drop in orders at European semiconductor company ASML Holdings weighing on technology stocks. US and Asian authorities are pushing back against USD strength and oil is lower on ample US supply. Stocks are in the green this Thursday morning, supported by some upbeat earnings results and comments from Christine Lagarde that Europe's economy is nearing the end of its malaise. Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research,...

Yesterday the US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell signalled that policymakers will wait longer than previously anticipated to begin cutting interest rates. Nevertheless, despite the recent selloff, global equities are starting to show signs of stability. Investors are now betting on just one to two US rate cuts this year starting in July or September. Mathieu Racheter, Head of Equity Strategy, provides us with an update on the Q1 earnings season. 00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko...

European markets managed to close Monday’s session higher but the same could not be said for the US, where tech stocks fared the worst. Strong US retail sales data pushed back expectations of rate cuts there until September. Concerns about an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East did little to calm jittery Asian markets and they fell further on mixed economic data from China. Norbert Rücker explains why it’s important not to underestimate the resilience of the energy market regardless...

Despite global government bond yields remaining high following this week’s US inflation reports, equities staged a recovery rally into the close. And overnight, gold hit another record high, edging closer to the USD 2,400 mark each day. Tim Gagie, Head of FX/PM PB Solutions Geneva, shares his views on tuna, pianos and why he is not short the Japanese yen. 00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing) 00:41 Markets wrap-up by Roman Canziani (Head of Investment Writing) 06:56 FX...

Hotter US inflation lowered expectations of interest rate cuts. Wall Street reacted with a down day, but the weakness did not spread to European or Asian equities. However, it was government bond yields and the USD that rose sharply. Today's focus is on the ECB's rate decision – a rate cut is not expected, so the focus will be on the comments from ECB President Christine Lagarde. And the JPY is at its lowest level since 1980, raising the spectre of monetary intervention. Tensions are rising...

Market action appears subdued as investors around the world await key US inflation data later today. Meanwhile, on a more company-specific level, ‘everything AI’ still seems to be the trend. In the Asia-Pacific region overnight, data showed that Japan’s corporate inflation rate rose for the third month in a row, while the Reserve Bank of New Zealand kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 5.5%. Fixed Income strategist Dario Messi joins the show today to discuss longer-maturity bonds, and...

The major US equity indices closed around flat yesterday while small caps outperformed, with the Russell 2000 index gaining 0.5%. The 10-year US Treasury yield climbed to 4.43%, prompting investors to raise their bets on the Fed cutting rates just twice this year following last week’s jobs data upside surprise. And David Kohl, Chief Economist, provides his outlook for the future interest rate policy paths for the Fed and the ECB. 00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing) 00:28...

Markets had a difficult start to the second quarter last week, with the S&P 500 posting its worst weekly performance for 3 months as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising oil prices led to growing concerns about inflation. A stronger-than-expected US jobs report on Friday has led investors to continue to price in fewer Fed rate cuts, pushing yields on government bonds to key levels. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, explains why 4.5% is an important level for...

Markets took a sharp risk-off turn in late US trading yesterday. The main catalyst was rising tensions in the Middle East, with oil prices rallying above USD 90/bbl for the first time since October, which in turn added to existing fears about inflation. In Switzerland, inflation figures for March once again surprised to the downside, which put pressure on the Swiss franc. Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM Solutions Geneva, talks about what he expects for the safe-haven currency going forward and...

After a cautious start to Q2, equity markets regained their stride in Wednesday’s session climbing higher across regions. The Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said that the Fed is still in wait-and-see mode when it comes to rate cuts, but markets took more comfort from the fact that he reaffirmed that the Fed is likely to cut rates this year. Our Head of Economics & Next Generation Research, Norbert Rücker, explains the different narratives at play in the oil market and what they...