Insights

Overview: doubling of earnings leaves markets cold April ended with investors relatively nonchalant about the almost overwhelmingly positive corporate earnings growth figures coming out of the US and (to a lesser degree) Europe. In the US, of the S&P500 companies reporting so...

After last week’s lull in global equity markets, most regions recovered their previous highs this week, albeit in somewhat lacklustre trading patterns. Just as there were several reasons why markets were in a bad mood last week, there are many reasons for...

Overview: ‘risk on’ pauses while the real world keeps accelerating Equity markets finally paused in their upward trend last week, with the most speculative assets like Bitcoin experiencing their first serious setback since February. Most likely it was a more general dampening...

Equity markets finally paused in their upward trend this week, with the most speculative assets like Bitcoin experiencing their first serious setback since February. It was hard to pin the cause on any one specific development, although falling oil prices got their...

Overview: New bond news provides perspective for equity investors Yields of long maturity bonds across global developed markets fell quite sharply last Thursday, at the same time as economic data showed resoundingly strong activity. This somewhat counterintuitive market action was a very good...

We usually start with a brief summary of equity market action over the course of the week. This week it was developments in the bond markets that may be of more significance for investors for the medium terms, than the fact that...

Overview: US policy measures drive hopes for a ‘Goldilocks’ economic recovery The second quarter has started in positive fashion. The combination of fast progress on mass vaccinations – and real long-term structural improvement plans for the US economy – have provided investors...

Following a strong first quarter for equity investors worldwide, the second quarter is off to a good start as well, with most global stock markets already up by a few percentage points. While the sense that stock markets are potentially getting ahead...

Overview: Q1 2020 reviewIt was turbulent at times, but the first quarter of 2021 brought genuine good news for UK-based investors with exposure to global stock markets. Equity markets generally resumed an upward trajectory, while low risk assets, especially long maturity bonds,...

It may be April Fools’ Day, but ignore the ill-fated corporate PR stunts (Voltswagen!). The fact is that the first quarter of 2021 has brought genuine good news for UK-based investors with exposure to global stock markets. Equity markets have generally resumed...