Moving Markets

The ECB cut its deposit rate yesterday, but did not commit to further rate cuts. Eurozone banks rallied the most on the prospect of fewer rate cuts than previously expected. Microsoft and Nvidia may face antitrust investigation in the US. Two giant banks, Mitsubishi UFJ and Sumitomo Mitsui, are to start selling their strategic stakes in Toyota Motor worth around USD 8.5 billion, illustrating that...

Nvidia became the second biggest company in the world yesterday as its market value exceeded USD 3 trillion, whilst ASML pushed LVMH aside to take over the number 2 spot in European markets. Other technology stocks also performed well – pushing their indices to new all-time highs. Markets now await more the discussion than the decision when it comes to the ECB later today: whilst the rate cut is f...

The Swiss equity market continues to shine among its European peers, with inflation well below the Swiss National Bank’s upper target and the stock market outperforming. In Asia, all eyes are on the Indian elections, where Prime Minister Modi’s party failed to win an outright majority but he looks set for a third term in office. Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia, shares his views on the Indian...

A flurry of weaker US economic data, which included a slowdown in factory output and a surprise contraction in the construction industry, saw the US dollar index drop to a new two-month low. The data also saw US equities post lacklustre, flat returns yesterday, while the US bond market rallied and US Treasury bond yields fell. Manuel Villegas, Next Generation Research, provides us with an update o...

Major stock market indices are building on May's strong performance as we enter the meteorological summer here in Europe. In Asia, Indian markets are leading the way as exit polls show a landslide victory for incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, believes there is more upside ahead for both equities and gold. 00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investme...

Yesterday’s weaker-than-expected US GDP data helped to boost rate cut expectations by the Fed and bring yields down from their highs. And while equity markets in Europe and Asia gained, tech stocks in the US came under selling pressure. Disappointing earnings data and US officials reviewing licenses to chipmakers for shipments to the Middle East pulled the sector down. Tim Gagie, Head of FX &...

Markets came under pressure yesterday after a USD 44bn Treasury auction saw weak investor demand, following two lacklustre auctions on Tuesday. The broad risk aversion gripping markets comes as rising bond yields are putting an increasing strain on risk assets. Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics & Next Generation Research, comments on the latest drivers in the oil market and shares his outlook...

While equities were broadly flat on Tuesday, US Treasury yields jumped on weak 2- and 5-year auctions and comments from Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari, who said policymakers had not completely ruled out further rate hikes - even if the current policy stance was restrictive. Fixed Income strategist, Dario Messi, explains what's behind the more cautious tone from Fed speakers and what it me...

Germany's Ifo business climate survey shows an improved outlook, while European equities see renewed inflows. Elon Musk's AI startup xAI raises USD 6 billion in its second round of funding. Japan's inflation picks up, supporting the case for higher interest rates. Shanghai makes it easier for home buyers. And the US moves to T+1 stock settlement. Manuel Villegas of Next Generation Research wonders...

Fresh data from China showed that industrial profits rose, boosting Asia-Pacific markets today. Meanwhile, Ethereum, the second largest digital token, rose as the US SEC signed off on a proposal by major US exchanges to list Ether-linked products. Gold edged higher this morning, while oil prices are in a holding pattern ahead of the OPEC+ meeting later this week. Today’s public holidays in the US...

Stronger US economic data reduces the case for an interest rate cut, weighing on gold, US Treasuries and global equities. Bucking the trend, Nvidia was up almost 10% and its market cap is now larger than the entire German stock market. The latest eurozone data points to a recovery. Ethereum received a big regulatory boost and the launch of spot Ether ETFs in the US looks more likely. Tim Gagie, He...

Equity markets are higher following NVIDIA's stellar results and despite news that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates in restrictive territory for longer than expected. Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation, explains why the latest Chinese stimulus package has little impact on industrial metals, and Nicolas Jordan from our CIO office summarises the views and positioning of the bank's inv...

US stocks moved higher yesterday, with the S&P 500 closing at another all-time high, but not without signs of caution among investors ahead of Nvidia’s earnings announcement today. UK inflation has fallen to its lowest level in almost three years, although April’s drop was not as large as expected which helped the pound sterling jump to its highest level in two months. Dario Messi, Fixed Incom...

With artificial intelligence so prominent in our lives, it’s perhaps no surprise that one of the biggest players – Nvidia – is not only partially responsible for the current explosion in the sector, but will also be a key factor in where the markets go this week, given that it reports its results tomorrow. Wall Street firms are certainly lining up for good news so let’s hope that they are not disa...

Both European and US stock markets ended yesterday’s trading session in negative territory, but the Dow Jones made some positive headlines as it touched the significant milestone of 40,000 points for the first time in history. Macroeconomic data releases from the US continued to point to a stable or gradually cooling US economy, while China reported a mixed economic picture, weighing on Asia-Pacif...

Global equities are rallying on yesterday's lighter-than-expected US Consumer Price Index data, with investors snapping up stocks and riskier currencies. The data has led traders to raise their bets that the Fed will cut its policy rate at least twice this year. And after a recent rally in copper prices, Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, discusses whether the copper market has moved...

A rally in big tech drove US equities close to their all-time highs as bond yields fell, with investors awaiting key inflation data for clues on the Federal Reserve’s next steps. And meme stocks are back on investors’ radar. GameStop surged 180% this week alone, raising questions about the prevailing market sentiment. Markus Allenspach, Head of Fixed Income Research, talks about how to navigate th...

Financial markets are in wait-and-see mode ahead of US inflation data today and tomorrow, as well as Alibaba and Tencent earnings later today. French President Emanuel Macron said he is open to a major French bank being taken over by a European rival, in a bid to spur deeper financial integration in the euro bloc. Yields on 20-year Japanese government bonds rose to their highest level since 2013....

Equity markets closed last week stronger than they started it and futures broadly project the upward trend to continue today. Nevertheless, China’s latest inflation data over the weekend was disappointingly strong and the news today that China will begin an ultra-long bond selling programme was not enough to support onshore equities today. Hong Kong’s equity benchmark however climbed to its highes...

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 stro...

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 stea...

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, provid...

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 imp...

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...

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 bu...