Moving Markets

Equity markets across the world have performed well, supported by a big rate cut in the US and the growing belief that the Federal Reserve can engineer a soft landing. This week, there is more central bank action expected as Australia, Sweden and Switzerland decide upon their policy rates. Our expert guest, Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, shares insights from the charts, revealing a pr...

Stocks across the globe moved higher yesterday following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut, with both the Dow and S&P 500 seeing new all-time highs. Meanwhile, other major central banks – including those in England, Norway, Turkey, Japan and China – opted to keep their key rates steady. Joining us on today’s show is Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM Solutions in Geneva, who offers insights...

In a surprise move, the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate by 0.5%, kicking off its first easing cycle since the pandemic began. But unlike previous rate cuts, this decision is not a response to economic weakness – instead, it's a proactive bid to prevent future downturns. We break down what this means for markets, including stocks, bonds, gold and oil. Among the guests today are...

It was an up-and-down session for US equities yesterday. Markets reacted positively to stronger-than-expected US economic data before worrying about getting ahead of itself before today’s US central bank meeting. Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research, talks about the unusually high uncertainty ahead of today’s FOMC decision and recommends focusing on the messaging. 00:00 Introduction by Berna...

The US Empire State manufacturing survey showed a jump in sentiment, a welcome sign amid weakness in the manufacturing sector. Ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, markets are pricing in a 50 basis point cut, leading to a rotation out of tech stocks and the S&P 500 Equal Weighted Index hitting an all-time high. Microsoft announced a new USD 60 billion share buyback and a 10%...

Markets are eagerly anticipating a rate cut from the US Federal Reserve this week. We only have to wait until Wednesday to find out whether they opt for 25 or 50 basis points. Ahead of this, US stock markets rallied. European markets also advanced after the ECB cut rates on Thursday. Asian markets are a little more mixed after disappointing Chinese data and the upcoming Bank of Japan meeting on Fr...

Markets are abuzz with speculation that the Federal Reserve may deliver a larger-than-expected 50 basis-point rate cut next week. As a result, yields have tumbled, and gold prices have surged to new record highs. Meanwhile, equity markets continue their winning streak, with the S&P 500 index closing higher for the fourth consecutive day. Tim Gagie, Head of FX/PM PB Sales in Geneva, also joins...

US inflation unexpectedly rose in August, with core inflation up 0.3% month-on-month and 3.2% year-on-year. The data suggests that the Fed will cut rates next week by 25bps rather than 50bps. Markets initially reacted negatively, but US equities later rallied strongly, led by tech stocks. OpenAI is in the news for a new round of funding, valuing the company at USD 150bn. The ECB meets today and is...

Tech stocks led the charge overnight, while financials felt the pinch, as yields fell, and the S&P 500 eked out a gain. But despite the market's mixed signals, all eyes were on the presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump - and some believe Harris may have gained ground. Meanwhile, with a packed schedule of central bank meetings on the horizon, we're joined by Eirini Tsekerid...

Global stocks rebounded yesterday following the worst week for the S&P 500 since March 2023, as investors await US inflation data for clues on the size of the US Federal Reserve’s coming interest-rate cut. Meanwhile, weakness in Chinese equities is intensifying as a benchmark of onshore Chinese stocks hovers near its lowest close since January 2019. Manuel Villegas, Next Generation Research, p...

The US employment report for August showed a slower than expected increase in jobs, but a fall in the unemployment rate to 4.2%. Markets reacted negatively, with the S&P 500 having its worst week since March 2023, closing at 5408 points. Other asset classes such as Bitcoin and oil also fell sharply. Key events this week include the release of Apple's iPhone 16 on Monday, the Harris-Trump presi...

Global equity markets struggled to find interest in the last 24 hours as traders and investors alike digested more US and European data whilst waiting with baited breath for today’s US non-farm payrolls data. The only area that saw appetite was the tech sector, in particular the Magnificent Seven. Richard Tang, Head of Research Hong Kong, provides an update on the latest developments in China, as...

Investors are grappling with a flood of data this week. Yesterday’s releases from the US revealed a two-year high in the trade deficit, a slowdown in the labour market and a cautious outlook from the Fed’s Beige Book. However, there was some respite as US factory orders rebounded after two lacklustre months. As equities continue to struggle for traction in September, a key segment of the US Treasu...

September gets off to a rocky start for stocks, with semiconductors plummeting. The S&P 500 index has suffered its worst September opening in years, tumbling over 2% amid renewed worries about overstretched valuations in AI-related stocks and a disappointing manufacturing report. Meanwhile, oil prices have wiped out their entire year-to-date gain, while the Japanese yen surges. In this episode...

European markets were flat after reaching a record high last week, held back by weak economic demand from China. Rolls Royce fell sharply on concerns over a faulty engine part in the Airbus 350. Swiss PMIs surprise to the upside, while manufacturing activity in France and Germany remains sluggish. Volkswagen plans its first plant closure in Germany since it was founded 87 years ago. In Asia, Japan...

After US Treasuries and the S&P 500 index advanced for a fourth consecutive month in August, investors brace for September, a typically challenging month for markets, ahead of crucial US jobs data due on Friday. A significant shift to the far right in German state elections yesterday sent shockwaves through the European political landscape. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis Research,...

Nvidia did not meet lofty earnings expectations and its stock fell 6%, while revised Q2 US GDP figures beat expectations at 3%, meaning more stocks rose than fell on the S&P 500. US Treasury yields rose on the better economic data, although Treasuries are on track for a fourth month of gains. In Europe, inflation fell and Germany's DAX rose to near all-time highs. Asian equities are higher, le...

Markets braced themselves for Nvidia’s Q2 results yesterday with the top three indices all closing lower on the day. Nvidia then delivered results that beat expectations, but apparently not by enough and the stock fell more than 8% in after-hours trading. The impact was felt globally by the rest of the tech universe. In today’s special episode we also hear from our Group CIO, Yves Bonzon, who talk...

Artificial intelligence leader Nvidia reports earnings today and the market is bracing for impact. Meanwhile, US consumer confidence has taken a step up, but still lags behind pre-pandemic levels. In China, another set of disappointing earnings results has sparked concerns over the country’s slowing economy. In today’s episode, we're joined by Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research, for an upd...

US equity benchmarks struggled in trading yesterday with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices posting losses amid a rotation out of big tech and into small caps. However, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Equal Weight indices both hit record highs after US Fed Chair Powell’s dovish comments on Friday. David Kohl, Chief Economist, shares his key takeaways from last week’s Jackson H...

Risk assets ended the week on a strong note after Jerome Powell made it almost certain that interest rates will be cut next month. This led to a further fall in the USD and gold closing above USD 2500 an ounce for the second week in a row. Oil prices rose on rising tensions in the Middle East, but only a little as investors seem to have become immune to short-term military exchanges in the region....

Markets saw a decent pullback over the last 24 hours, with the S&P 500 recording its worst daily performance for over two weeks. Meanwhile, the 10-year Treasury yield moved back up to 3.85%. These moves reflected investors becoming more sceptical about the chances of rate cuts of 50bps this year, thanks to more positive data and comments from Fed officials yesterday. Tim Gagie, Head of FX &amp...

Stocks continue their upward march as markets gear up for the much-anticipated Jackson Hole Symposium, commencing today. Preliminary payroll revisions, coupled with the latest Federal Reserve meeting minutes, strongly indicate a potential rate cut in the US in September. This could also spell good news for gold as Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, explains in today’s podcast – and t...

Global equities have paused in their winning streak, posting losses ahead of revisions to US jobs data due today. Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research, shares his thoughts into the future path of Fed policy. And Mathieu Racheter, Head of Equity Strategy, outlines his sector preferences when it comes to equities. 00:00 Introduction by Bernadette Anderko (Investment Writing) 00:41 Markets wrap...

European and US equities extended their rebound yesterday, starting the new trading week on a strong footing and maintaining the momentum built last week. Most Asian-Pacific markets followed suit, with Hong Kong and China being notable exceptions. Meanwhile, oil prices saw some relief following reports that Israel had accepted a proposal to resolve disputes hindering a Gaza ceasefire agreement. Jo...