UBS On-Air: Market Moves

The Wile E Coyote effect—running off the edge of a cliff, and continuing to run before eventually gravity takes over—remains evident for developed economy consumers. UK March retail sales (which adjust for price effects) showed rising volumes of oil and non-oil sales. The surge in oil volumes means part of the UK’s oil reserves are stored in consumers' cars. The stronger non-oil sales signal c...

Michael Kass is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager for Emerging Markets with Baron Capital. We discuss why investors should consider global diversification in an equity portfolio, and what a globally resilient portfolio might consist of. Plus, a look at opportunities and risk considerations specific to Emerging Market equities, along with broader investment trends in focus across Emerging M...

US Treasury Secretary Bessent admitted “several” Gulf countries asked the US for dollar swap lines to cover short-term funding needs from the Gulf war. Where travel has collapsed, or where plunging oil and gas volumes are not offset by price effects, near-term economic support is needed. Longer-term reconstruction and rearmament must be paid for. Sovereign wealth funds may be used in the future, b...

People around the world are living longer than ever before, and by 2050 the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to double to 1.6 billion, representing nearly one in six people globally. This unprecedented demographic shift is set to reshape economies, markets, and the way companies operate. In this episode of Across the Pond, host Belinda Peeters is joined by special guest Professor Nic...

Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, joins to provide a fixed income performance update and outlook, including a look at the factors behind interest-rate volatility, and contained spread widening. Plus, a look at the current fixed income positioning recommendations from the UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US President Trump unilaterally extended the Gulf war ceasefire, hoping to persuade the Iranian government to talk. The US blockade remains in place, but as it appears Iranian oil is getting through, the economic effect of this is blunted. Investor attention is on Iran’s comments and decisions.

Top of the Morning: Asia’s strategic edge - Diversification, resilience, and opportunity in a shifting world In this episode, Emerging Markets Strategist Americas, Xingchen Yu, explores why Asia is central to global portfolios, highlighting its leadership in technology and AI supply chains as well as its resilience in the face of geopolitical shocks. We discuss how investors can find both opportun...

US President Trump has suggested a de facto extension of the Gulf ceasefire (to Wednesday evening, US time) but no further extension. Markets are looking to Iran’s reaction to giver credibility to the idea of negotiations. Were the US to accept some version of former US President Obama’s deal with Iran, markets (already inclined to an optimistic interpretation) would probably react positively.

Financial markets ended last week on a high note on the hope that further ceasefire negotiations would bring a lasting end to the US-Iran war. Those hopes were at least temporarily dashed on Sunday, but investors do have the continuation of Q1 earnings season to distract them from the conflict. Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, joins to discuss this all, along with considerations for...

Markets are trading in a world where there is plenty of spin, statements, and speculation, but very little information of substance. US President Trump’s statements on the Gulf war on Friday triggered a wave of optimism in markets, happily anticipated by some oil traders. Statements from Iran and events over the weekend have reversed some of that optimism.

Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, Chief Investment Officer Americas and Global Head of Equities, shares key takeaways from the 2026 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, DC, including insights on the Middle East conflict, inflation, AI, cybersecurity, and the structural shifts shaping global markets.

Peter Wilke serves as Head of Tactical Asset Allocation at Northern Trust Asset Management. Peter shares his thoughts on the current market and macro environment, including geopolitical factors, and the road ahead for monetary policy. Plus, a look at how real assets, including gold, can play a role in a portfolio. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Join Evan Brown, Head of Multi-Asset Strategy and Portfolio Manager, for an assessment of the current macro and market environment. Hosted by Marc Whitman, Multi-Asset Specialist. Recorded on 26.04.01

An Israeli-Lebanon ceasefire has been agreed, lessening the risks to a wider peace settlement in the region. US President Trump asserted (without offering evidence) that a peace deal with Iran is looking “very good” and Iran was agreeing to US terms. Markets have been unwilling to price in that assertion in the absence of confirmation from alternative sources.

Mike Lippert is a Vice President, Portfolio Manager, and serves as the Head of Technology Research at Baron Capital. Listen to a wide-ranging conversation with Bryan Contreras and Dan Cassidy from UBS Studios about how this quickly evolving technology is challenging the SaaS business model, the growing capabilities of AI agents, where opportunity exists today for AI-investment, and more.

On this episode of Viewpoints, Burkhard reflects on the evolution of the ongoing U.S.-Iran War, and what equity markets and bond yields have been signaling about investor sentiment. Plus, thoughts on the impacts of higher oil, gas, and fertilizer prices to consumer inflation, and how central banks might respond.

US President Trump vowed to continue investigating the Federal Reserve, and possibly fire Fed Chair Powell. Fed Chair nominee Warsh’s confirmation continues to be blocked by Senator Tillis. Markets do not appear willing to price an end to Fed independence, but given the differences in their reputations within the Fed, Powell might find it easier than Warsh to get rate cuts.

James Mick serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager and member of the Investment Committee at Tortoise Capital. As the U.S.-Iran War continues, James provides a damage assessment of assets, production, supply-chain, price shocks, and how the conflict might yield change to energy security and power dynamics both regionally and globally. Plus, a check-in as to where we are in the “energy transition”, an...

US President Trump suggested talks with Iran could begin within two days. Investors have received enough independent confirmation to give the idea credibility. The “always look on the bright side” mentality has continues. The war does mean that global economy is worse off than it would have been—though probably not as bad as mathematical models (including those of the IMF) suggest.

Jeffrey Sherman, is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer, and Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine Capital. Jeffrey joined Jason Draho, UBS CIO Head of Asset Allocation Americas, at the 1285 podcast studio to exchange views on a range of topics, including how the current geopolitical landscape is impacting markets, the road ahead for monetary policy and implications to fixed income markets, the macroeco...

Media reports suggest a China-owned tanker is attempting the Strait of Hormuz run (impressive, but can it do the Kessel run in 12 parsecs?). This defies the reported US naval blockade, and will be considered a test of whether US policy has any leverage with Iran. Commodity traders are looking on the bright side of life, interpreting US President Trump’s comments as signaling a willingness to talk.

Following this past weekend’s US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan, investors are left with fresh uncertainty as to how the conflict evolves from here. As the US blockade of Iranian ports takes effect today, we discuss how markets are digesting these developments, and what could drive market movement down the line as investors search for a new market narrative. Plus, a look at portfolio positioning gui...

The collapse of Iran-US talks predictably pushed oil prices higher and equities lower. US President Trump declared an “immediate” blockade of Hormuz—the US military clarified “immediate” means from 1400 GMT today, and “blockade” means ships using Iranian ports. If successful, this would stop Iranian oil supply (primarily to China). Markets’ optimistic bias remains; oil prices are nowhere near leve...

Events in the Middle East have moved swiftly, shifting markets from fears of escalation to cautious optimism following the announcement of a ceasefire. Yet uncertainty persists: Will the ceasefire hold, or are we entering a period of uneasy coexistence? Chief Economist Paul Donovan joins hosts Christopher Swann and Belinda Peeters to examine the global economic outlook after the end of US-Israeli...

US March consumer price inflation gives insight into US consumers’ war burden (albeit with some data accuracy concerns). Affordability is one investor concern. Affordability issues rely on inflation perception, driven by prices of high frequency purchases like food and fuel. Affordability is a political issue—the worse the crisis, the more likely the administration attempts policies to resolve, or...