Calmer markets
Global stocks pushed higher this week, led yet again by global tech stocks. Semiconductor chip makers were especially strong. On Thursday, Axios reported that US and Iranian officials had agreed a 60-day ceasefire extension, during which they would negotiate a resolution to...
Assuming growth will win
Global stocks and global bonds are ending the week positively, with the gains coming mostly in non-US markets. This is the first week since the end of March that big US tech stocks have underperformed. That underperformance comes despite continued strong results...
Waiting for relief
The Bloomberg World Equity index is up 1.5% in sterling terms as we close the week, although virtually all of that gain comes from US stocks and a stronger US Dollar. Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to China had no notable surprises, which...
Reasons to believe
Markets are feeling hopeful. Iran is still mulling over Donald Trump’s proposal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but investors are betting on a done deal. Oil prices dropped from around $115 per barrel [pb] on Monday to...
Markets making the best of it
The risks we wrote about last week keep rising. The continued US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, along with reports that the US might restart attacks, sent oil prices above $120 per barrel in midweek trading. They have since settled down...