AXA IM Select Updates

Equity markets responded positively to the new US infrastructure bill, as well as to reassuring rhetoric from the US Federal Reserve. This week should bring strong PMI surveys from across the globe, with US June employment data at the close. Presented by Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager. Hosted by Lorna Denny, Investment Specialist. This podcast is intended for investment professionals, and must...

Markets were hit with a wave of volatility in response to the US Federal Reserve (Fed) signalling a quicker path to higher interest rates to counter inflation earlier than previously anticipated. Assets such as value stocks, commodities and gold all fell, while those that benefit from disinflationary pressures, such as long-term US Treasuries and highly-rated corporate bonds, all rose. Looking to...

Inflation has been the spectre stalking the markets in the first half of this year. Major central banks talk of ‘transitory’ inflation, but are monitoring developments extremely carefully nonetheless. Given unprecedented levels of fiscal and monetary stimulus post-pandemic, why should this time be different? How can major economies avoid a sustained rise in inflation? And how would that impact fin...

US inflation data came in above forecasts, rising by its highest annual rate since 2008, but there was little reaction from the bond markets. This week will bring the US Federal Reserve meeting, where we will get an insight into the central bank’s current thinking. Presented by Pela Strataki CFA, Senior Investment Analyst. Hosted by Philip Kemp, Investment Specialist. This podcast is intended for...

US employment numbers were the focus of financial markets, falling short of consensus forecasts, while agricultural commodity prices soared. This week is forecast to bring a further jump in US headline CPI numbers to 4.7%, as well as the monthly meeting of the European Central Bank. Presented by Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and Pela Strataki CFA, Senior Investment Analyst. Hosted by Lorna Den...

The scale of President Biden’s $6 trillion budget plans impressed the markets. US Federal Reserve members addressed the ‘talking about tapering’ issue, nonetheless failing to lift the US dollar, which hit a three year low against China’s renminbi. This week brings crucial unemployment reports from the US, as well as PMI data from across the globe. Presented by Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager and...

Bond markets took the latest Federal Reserve commentary in their stride, while equity market volatility jumped on fears of ‘crypto-contagion’. This week brings a further raft of macroeconomic data, which could test the markets’ assurance of a ‘transitory’ pick up in inflation. Presented by Pela Strataki CFA, Senior Investment Analyst and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst. Hosted by Lorna Denny, I...

Financial markets were troubled by a surprising uptick in US inflation, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions. This week should bring further confirmation of the global rebound in economic activity, as well as more insight into the US Federal Reserve’s claims of ‘transitory’ inflation pressures. Presented by Pela Strataki CFA, Senior Investment Analyst and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst. H...

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen rattled both bond and equity markets globally with comments about interest rate hikes, before offering reassuring words on inflation. This week will see confirmation of the US inflation rate, which is expected to have come in above the Federal Reserve’s target in April. Presented by Niall McDonnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment Mana...

US growth and confidence data demonstrate the positive impact of recent stimulus, while in contrast the eurozone looks set for a double dip recession. This week brings PMI data from around the world, with expectations of historically high numbers as economies rebound.  Presented by Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment Manager. Hosted by Lorna Denny, Investment...

US quarterly earnings largely beat expectations, although any shortfalls, such as Netflix new subscriber numbers, were swiftly punished by the markets. This week brings another raft of earnings numbers and commentary around input cost pressure will be closely watched. The US Federal Reserve meeting will likely deliver no change in policy and a continued patient stance on inflation. Presented by Al...

The first quarter was characterised by renewed optimism, boosted by stimulus packages and vaccine rollouts. This brought a sector rotation in the equity markets, from growth to value stocks. The outlook for recovery remains positive, with the potential for a sharp rise in consumer spending. Beyond this we maintain our focus on the longer-term megatrends that will drive growth in the future. Jaime...

US equity markets made new record highs, spurred on by strong consumer spending, while the post-pandemic bounce saw China’s GDP growth rate hit record levels. This week brings a raft of quarterly earnings from major US companies, such as Johnson & Johnson and Netflix. Presented by Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst. Hosted by Lorna Denny, Investment...

Equities rallied as government bond markets were reassured by the US Federal Reserve, with the tech heavy Nasdaq index at the forefront of gains. This week the focus will be on US inflation and retail sales data, as well as the expected rebound in China’s GDP after the pandemic struck first quarter of 2020. Presented by Niall McDonnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Pela Strataki CFA, Senior I...

President Biden’s infrastructure stimulus package, worth $2.25 trillion, stole the headlines and will be much debated in Congress over the coming week. Elsewhere, as strong survey data came through, China’s currency fell to the lowest point since the trade war with the US, on expectations that monetary stimulus measures will soon be withdrawn. Presented by Niall McDonnell, CFA, Senior Investment M...

Value sectors continued the outperformance seen year to date, in anticipation of stronger global growth. The grounding of a massive container ship in the Suez Canal sparked volatility in the oil price, as well as significant disruption to global trade in manufactured goods. The focus for this week will be on US employment data, a series key to the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy. Present...

Central bankers remained in the spotlight, as short term growth and inflation forecasts were raised. US Treasury bond yields hit pre-pandemic levels, as prices fell, creating a negative knock on for global stock markets. This week brings more central bank commentary on fiscal and monetary stimulus, as well as PMI data for a number of major economies. Presented by Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investmen...

The end of February brought a sudden spike in volatility, as longer dated bond prices fell and highly valued equities tumbled. The trigger was a bout of nervousness over rising inflation. More stimulus packages are in planning and monetary policy remains very loose. As vaccines are rolled out and economies reopen, a rebound in growth could perhaps herald a pick-up in inflation. This podcast is int...

It was a positive week for most stock markets with sentiment improving as a result of wavering bond market volatility. And in the US the S&P 500 and Dow Jones reach new all-time highs. Looking to the busy week ahead, the US Federal Reserve meeting looks to be the main event with FOMC officials expected to release updated economic projections and could comment on rising Treasury yields. Presented b...

Nervous trading in the bond markets continued to rattle highly valued equity sectors, while reassurance from the US Federal Reserve missed its mark. The week ahead should see President Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed into law, while February inflation data from the US and China might do little to calm the markets’ fears. Presented by Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager, N...

Volatility rose across global financial markets, propelled by the US government bond market’s fear of rising inflation. This week will bring further indicators of the recovery in economic activity, with US employment numbers expected the show the strongest pace of hiring since November. Presented by Niall McDonnell CFA, Senior Investment Manager and Asim Qadri CFA, Investment Analyst. Hosted by Lo...

Equity and bond market performance diverged further, given mounting expectations that stimulus-fuelled demand could spill over into higher inflation. The week ahead will bring fresh sentiment surveys, as well as inflation and GDP data from the US and other major economies. Presented by Seamus Lyons CFA, Senior Investment Manager, Richard Byrne, Investment Manager and Alex Burn CFA, Investment Mana...

In 2020, the boom in financial markets contrasted with the disastrous economic effects of Covid-19. The market narrative played ‘catch up’ with the market action, attempting to justify soaring valuations. This year has seen a switch, and now a strong narrative is boosting markets to new highs. Huge stimulus programmes and vaccine rollouts; ultra-low interest rates and pent up consumer spending. Th...

Equity and commodity markets maintained their rising trend. Japanese indices touched levels not seen for 30 years, although the emerging markets were the clear outperformers. This week Q4 earnings reporting is set to continue, while flash PMI data from across the globe should indicate the strength of improving sentiment. Presented by Richard Byrne, Investment Manager, Alex Burn CFA, Investment Man...

Global market sentiment recovered, after a jump in volatility from the week before. Fiscal stimulus and vaccine optimism pushed US markets to new highs, rebounding from the previous week’s steep losses. The week ahead brings the Lunar New Year taking Chinese exchanges offline. Meanwhile, Mario Draghi, the former European Central Bank head has been tasked with forming Italy's new government. Presen...