Moving Markets

European markets were weighed down by declines in the luxury sector yesterday, as concerns over weakening global demand dampened sentiment. In contrast, major US indices reached fresh record highs, led by strong gains in the technology sector. Meanwhile, oil prices are climbing again this morning amid signs that the Middle East ceasefire may be unravelling. Today, we are joined by Dr. Damien Ng fr...

Strong earnings and resilient jobs data are prompting markets to rule out rate cuts this year. Semiconductor stocks continue to lead gains across the US and Asia, with South Korea and Japan hitting new highs, supported by AI investment. Inflation pressures reflected in China’s data release, rising oil prices amid a fragile Middle East ceasefire, and broader geopolitical risks remain in focus ahead...

Global equity markets have performed strongly, led by the AI-driven rally across the US, Japan, and Korea, while China’s headline indices have lagged in comparison. Yet beneath the surface, performance has been more nuanced, with parts of the market showing stronger momentum than index-level data suggests. In this episode, Richard Tang, China Strategist and Head of Research Hong Kong at Julius Bae...

Markets remained on edge as ongoing uncertainty around a potential US–Iran agreement drove a clear risk‑off tone. European equities moved broadly lower, while US indices pulled back after briefly touching record highs, weighed down by weakness in technology and semiconductors. Oil prices proved volatile but ultimately rebounded, with both Brent and WTI holding elevated levels, while gold edged hig...

Hopes grew yesterday that the US and Iran might be able to seal a deal to end the conflict, with a memorandum of understanding apparently having been sent by the US to Iran. The oil price dropped and with it so did bond yields. Meanwhile, global stock markets continued to rally and were given a further boost by artificial intelligence firms and yet more good news from earnings calls. Norbert Rücke...

Semiconductor stocks, from Intel to Samsung Electronics, are pushing US and Asian equities to new all‑time highs. Strong earnings from Anheuser‑Busch and Unicredit also lifted European markets. US services activity slowed in April, while inflation pressures stayed elevated. UK yields surged on inflation and fiscal concerns, Swiss data showed higher headline but subdued core inflation, and PMIs in...

After several days of solid gains, markets paused yesterday as risk aversion returned, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East and a sharp rise in oil prices. European equities bore the brunt of the sell-off, while major US indices also closed lower. In today’s episode, we’re joined by Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, to unpack the outlook for hyperscalers following last w...

Geopolitics continues to dominate as investors weigh mixed Middle East messages. Trump has signalled his openness to Iran talks while also warning of renewed conflict and saying the US will begin guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Global equities are rallying on AI optimism and strong tech earnings, even as central banks stay cautious amid uneven growth and sticky inflation. A pivotal wee...

With geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility top of mind, investors are seeking tools to help navigate an increasingly complex landscape. How can structured products add value to portfolios in this environment? In this episode of Julius Baer’s Moving Markets: The View Beyond podcast, Helen Freer is joined by Yves Klenk, Head of Client Coverage and Advisory, and Maximiliano Ranieri, Head of...

The US Federal Reserve remains on hold but is the most divided since 1992. Kevin Warsh advanced in a key Senate vote to become the new chairman of the Fed next month. The ascent of the oil price continues amid reports of another military escalation. Major US technology firms reaffirmed heavy AI investment in their earnings releases, but results differed sharply across the companies reporting yeste...

Oil prices surged above USD 110 on supply concerns stemming from the stalled Iran war and news of an extended blockade of Iran. The rally was capped by historic news that the UAE will exit OPEC. In equities, AI-driven gains faltered amid questions about OpenAI’s growth prospects. With mega-cap technology firms Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft set to report earnings today, attention will also...

Markets started the week on a cautious note as geopolitics, central bank meetings and rising oil prices kept risk appetite in check. European equities slipped, while US indices hovered near record highs, supported by big tech, despite a pause in the semiconductor rally. AI remained firmly in focus after OpenAI signalled a shift in its relationship with Microsoft. Outside of tech, energy markets dr...

Markets have kicked off the week on a strong note, with Asian - particularly tech - stocks rallying amid renewed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East and an exceptionally robust earnings season. The days ahead will be pivotal, with major central banks delivering key monetary policy decisions and several members of the “Magnificent 7” set to report earnings. In this episode, we’re...

In an environment marked by higher inflation, geopolitical uncertainty and increased market volatility, private infrastructure is regaining focus as a resilient allocation. In this episode of Moving Markets: The View Beyond , William Fong, Head of Alternatives Specialists Asia & Middle East at Julius Baer, speaks with Daniel McCormack, Head of Research at Macquarie Asset Management's Client So...

Global markets sent mixed signals as US data pointed to surprising resilience, while the eurozone slipped back into contraction. Rising energy prices remain a key concern, driving inflation pressures and weighing on confidence. Equity markets reflected this caution yesterday, with US tech stocks pulling back as several software names underperformed after reporting earnings. Meanwhile, signs of Swi...

New record highs were set in the US trading session on Wednesday as markets embraced the ceasefire extension and more strong Q1 earnings. But despite Asian markets rallying at the open, they failed to hold onto their gains as investors’ focus returned to the fact that the Strait of Hormuz effectively remains closed for business. As EU leaders meet to discuss how to address the energy price shock,...

Geopolitical tensions and a late ceasefire extension kept markets on edge. Equities were lower in Tuesday’s trading session as stocks ended near session lows. Strong nominal US retail sales and upbeat earnings clashed with fading optimism. Afonso Borges, Fixed Income Strategist, shares his takeaways from Fed Chair-to-be Kevin Warsh’s Senate hearing and the implications for bond markets. Mathieu Ra...

After a brief bout of optimism on Friday, concerns over a potential escalation between the US and Iran swiftly re-emerged yesterday. Oil prices climbed by around 5%, while equity markets came under pressure. Europe’s broad indices fell by roughly 0.8%, and all major U.S. indices closed slightly lower, with the Nasdaq snapping a 14-session winning streak. In today’s episode, we are joined by Carste...

The first quarter of 2026 has presented investors with complex and worsening financial conditions, volatile oil prices, and heightened geopolitical tensions. Q1 earnings are already being reported, and so far, the indications have been promising. What are the expectations for the rest of the season? And what should investors be watching out for? In this episode of The View Beyond Podcast, Bernadet...

Wall Street ended modestly higher yesterday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at record highs following a twelfth consecutive advance. US markets reacted positively to the announcement of a 10‑day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Earnings also provided support, led by banks and semiconductor companies, while luxury remained the weak spot this week. Notably, shares of Charles Schwab and...

President Trump indicated that Tehran wants to make a deal yesterday and officials from Pakistan signalled that new talks are planned. Meanwhile, it seems as if Israel and Lebanon might also be poised to have ceasefire discussions. US and Asia stock markets have reacted very positively with several indices surging to new all-time highs. Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics and Next Generation Researc...

Investors grapple with rising stagflation fears amid slowing growth and persistent inflation, yet optimism over renewed US-Iran peace talks has fuelled a broad equity rally, pushing major markets close to record highs. Banks are reporting booming trading revenues even as they sounded a note of caution about the ripple effect of higher oil prices. Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research, discuss...

After an early sell-off, equities rebounded during the trading session following President Trump’s comments that further negotiations with Iran - and a potential deal - remain within reach in the coming days. Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 moved back into positive territory for the year, while oil prices slipped below USD 100 per barrel once again. In today’s episode, we...

Last week’s market rally was driven by ceasefire optimism and a sharp drop in oil prices, lifting equities despite growing signs of economic strain and energy‑led inflation pressures, although US core inflation in March (excluding energy) remained contained. Over the weekend, geopolitical risks moved back to centre stage as failed US–Iran talks and an effective embargo on Iranian oil pushed energy...

The US and Iran have agreed to a two‑week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, but the deal continues to look fragile. Markets have reacted swiftly, with crude oil prices falling sharply while gold and equity markets rebounded. However, the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, keeping energy supply risks firmly in focus. In this complex backdrop, how attractive is the current market risk‑rew...