AXA IM Select Updates

Equity markets took fright at the more hawkish tone of the US Federal Reserve’s December minutes. Bond yields rose, and prices fell, in anticipation of a faster pace of interest rate hikes. This week the focus will switch to inflation data from the world’s major economies. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager spoke to Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. This podcast is intended for investme...

Inflation has taken centre stage for investment markets, as prices have climbed to levels not seen for many decades. Central banks have been forced to re-evaluate their monetary stimulus, bringing ever closer the date when pandemic rescue packages will be put into reverse. Today we will discuss the likely timing of central bank policy normalisation, known as ‘liftoff’ of interest rates. Who will b...

Equity markets hit new peaks, despite strong inflation data in the US and China, as expert opinion provided reassurance on the Omicron variant. This week central bank meetings will be in focus and the US Federal Reserve’s press conference will be closely analysed for a change in rhetoric on interest rate policy. This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager spoke to Lorna Denny, Investment...

Equity markets were rattled by fears of lower growth and ever higher prices, due to the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, while government bond markets proved a safe haven. This week all eyes will be on US CPI inflation data, as well as developments in the spread of the Omicron variant. This week Niall McDonnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager spoke to Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. This podcas...

Financial markets were rocked by reports of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, with the oil price under particular pressure, and safe haven assets much in demand. In the week ahead, markets will look for further clarity on the Omicron variant, as well as stable PMIs and US unemployment data for November. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Bushra Ahmed, Responsible Investment Lead sp...

Developed market equities advanced, boosted by strong earnings and some speculation of rising interest rates, while emerging markets hit a bumpy patch. This week brings Flash PMI data from across the globe, which could show widespread declines in the Services sector reading, despite strong Manufacturing indicators. This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment...

The UN Climate Change Conference produced a raft of headlines and pledges, some positive and some not. The US and China agreed to co-operate faced with an ‘existential crisis’. But more ambitious targets are needed from the world’s biggest car manufacturers. It’s enough to bewilder even the environmental experts. In this podcast we drill down into a couple of the key themes only. And aim for some...

Headlines were dominated by sharp jumps in inflation around the world, as well as the COP26 climate change summit, where an agreement was reached on limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This week President Biden’s Infrastructure bill will be signed into law and further data releases could indicate persistent inflationary pressures. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager spoke to Lorna Denny, In...

Financial markets were in buoyant mood, as the US Federal Reserve confirmed tapering of its pandemic-era stimulus, with immediate effect. Pledges from world leaders at the UN Climate Change Conference, or COP26, covered deforestation, as well as methane and coal production. This week will bring a raft of inflation data, as well as the concluding statements of the COP26 meeting. This week Alex Burn...

US equity markets hit new highs, as Q3 earnings reports beat estimates and Microsoft regained the title of world’s biggest public company. This week could bring an announcement on tapering from the US Federal Reserve, an interest rate hike from the Bank of England and a raft of macroeconomic data for October. Meanwhile world leaders will gather for the UN’s COP26 Climate Change Conference, with no...

Weaker industrial production data from the US and China reflected supply chain disruption, while US inflation forecasts crept higher. We review expectations for the COP26, or UN Climate Change Conference, which begins this week. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Bushra Ahmed, Responsible Investment Lead, spoke to Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. This podcast is intended for invest...

Soaring energy prices have added to the list of this year’s inflationary pressures. At the same time, the Delta variant and falling consumer confidence have caused growth forecasts to be cut. It’s a toxic combination: slower growth and higher prices. And it points to stagflation. We take a look at recent indicators and market signals. Presented by Niall Mc Donnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager, A...

US equity markets were boosted by strong Q3 earnings reports from major banks, in spite of indications of ‘stagflation’ (slowing growth and rising inflation) from various macroeconomic sources. This week brings Flash PMI data from the major economies, which could offer further evidence of a decline in growth momentum. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Bushra Ahmed, Responsible Invest...

US employment data dominated the agenda, eventually falling short of forecasts and prompting questions over the US Federal Reserve’s tapering plans. This week expectations for US Q3 earnings reports are positive, but the rate of growth is unlikely to match the phenomenal second quarter. This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager spoke to Lorna Denny...

Financial markets closed out September in downbeat mood, troubled by fears of stagflation (declining growth and rising inflation) and persistent uncertainty as to the future of Chinese property giant Evergrande. This week brings PMI growth indicators from across the globe, as well as key unemployment data from the US on Friday. This week Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Invest...

Two big stories dominated financial markets last week: the hawkish shift in US Federal Reserve rhetoric; and the continuing meltdown at Chinese property giant Evergrande. The Evergrande saga will likely hold the headlines this week, as further interest payments fall due. Elsewhere, September PMI data look set to continue their slide from historic highs. This week Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst...

A combination of the Delta variant, supply chain friction and weaker consumer confidence, has hit growth momentum around the world. Has the recovery been derailed or just delayed? We take a good look at the data and discuss what comes next for financial markets. Presented by Niall Mc Donnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst. Hosted by Lorna Denny, Investment Sp...

Financial markets were in ‘wait and see’ mode, drifting lower on downbeat data and lack of positive stimulus. The September meeting of the US Federal Reserve this week could hint at a November tapering announcement, as well as a gathering consensus for a ‘lift-off’ in interest rates as early as end 2022. This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager sp...

Equities were fairly subdued, although Chinese markets were boosted by stronger than expected trade data and a positive call between the US and Chinese presidents. This week brings inflation and industrial production data from around the globe. This week Pela Strataki CFA, Senior Investment Analyst and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst spoke to Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. This podcast is...

Disappointing US job figures initially rattled equity markets, however most managed to bounce back. And China’s services sector slowed, signalling a contraction in economic activity. On the radar this week, Chinese data should give further insight into the Chinese economy, and the European Central Bank will provide its latest interest rate decision. This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Ma...

Equity markets rallied further, on hints from the US Federal Reserve chairman that pandemic-era monetary stimulus could be dialled back by year end. This week brings PMI data from across the globe, likely to hold recent highs, while US employment data should demonstrate continued labour market strength. Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst spoke with Lorna Denny...

This week Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst spoke to Lorna Denny. Equity markets were rattled by fears of diminishing central bank support and increasing regulatory pressure, while bond markets remained calm. This week brings the Jackson Hole Symposium, where the world’s central bankers will discuss the continuing pathway out of the global pandemic....

Early in 2021 financial markets switched focus from the benefits of reflation, or recovery from the pandemic, to inflation and its potential to damage asset prices. That focus could be set to flip again, this time from inflation to a possible check on recovery growth. And the culprit? The Delta variant of Covid-19. We look at the messages from the economic data and discuss the implications for fin...

US equity markets were boosted by bipartisan approval of the $1 trillion Infrastructure plan, while China detailed greater regulatory oversight of key parts of the economy. This week brings the minutes of the US Federal Reserve’s July meeting, possibly to include plans for tapering the bond buying programme. Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment analyst spoke with Lorna...

Equity markets responded positively to indicators of better economic growth, while bond markets held on to the belief in ‘lower for longer’ interest rates. The coming week is light on data announcements, although July CPI inflation figures from the US will be closely analysed. Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment analyst spoke with Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. Th...