European markets closed lower on Wednesday after the positive sentiment induced by the weekend’s interim trade deal between China and the US seemed to run of steam. The Dow Jones closed in the red, although the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed the day slightly higher, mainly driven by the mega-cap names and a few select beneficiaries of President Trump’s trade deals in Doha. US Treasury prices and gold felt the effect of easing trade tensions, as well as the market revising its expectations of Fed rate cuts in 2025. Asia’s equity markets were lower today. Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, joins the podcast to provide extra insight into gold’s move lower.

00:00 Introduction: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

00:24 Markets wrap-up: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

05:47 Gold: Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research

09:16 Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

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US markets rallied on the back of a US-China trade truce and lower-than-expected inflation data, easing recession concerns and boosting equities. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 indices rose, driven by gains in tech stocks, such as Nvidia and AMD, following a major semiconductor deal with a Saudi Arabian AI firm. In Asia, Hong Kong's market gained ground following strong earnings from JD.com, whereas Japan's Nikkei 225 experienced a slight decline after a 13-day uptrend. Looking ahead, European shares are poised to open flat, building on the previous day's positive session, which was fuelled by improved sentiment in Germany and a record high for the DAX. Mathieu Racheter, Head of Equity Strategy, observes that Q1 earnings have exceeded expectations, but companies are issuing cautious guidance due to reduced visibility on the economic outlook.

00:00 Introduction: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

00:27 Markets wrap-up: Mike Rauber, Investment Writing

06:47 Earnings/Equity Market update: Mathieu Racheter, Head of Equity Strategy

11:08 Closing remarks: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

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After the US and China both slashed their reciprocal tariff rates, US markets responded with jubilation yesterday, sparking an impressive rally with the S&P 500 building on its recent run as investors priced out the chance of a downturn. Also on today’s podcast, we are joined by David Meier, Senior Economist, who shares his insights on the impact of recent trade talks, and Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research, who provides an update on the outlook for digital assets following the recent recovery in crypto markets.

00:00 Introduction: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

00:38 Markets wrap-up: Jonti Warris, Investment Writing

06:13 Trade talks progress: Dave Meier, Senior Economist

12:41 Digital assets update: Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research

16:44 Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

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The United States and China have taken a step towards resolving their trade dispute, with both sides describing their initial talks in Switzerland this weekend as constructive. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned substantial progress, lifting equity markets in Asia and boosting investor sentiment. Meanwhile, safe havens like gold are feeling the pressure. Our guest, Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, joins us to discuss where he sees the most upside as good news on the trade landscape keeps on rolling in, at least for now. Tune in to find out how these developments are moving markets.

00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

00:28 Markets wrap-up by Roman Canziani (Head of Investment Writing)

07:02 Technical Analysis update by Mensur Pocinci (Head of Technical Analysis)

09:50 Closing remarks by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

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The US and the UK agreed a new trade deal yesterday, making the UK the first country to reach a deal with the US since US President Trump introduced new tariffs a month ago. Although this boosted global market sentiment, with US and European markets closing higher, UK stocks underperformed. The deal also weighed on safe-haven assets like US Treasuries and gold. Meanwhile, the Bank of England’s rate cut by 25 basis points was seen as a supportive move for the UK economy. Asia-Pacific markets were largely higher overnight, buoyed by China's stronger-than-expected export growth in April and a narrowing import decline, which brings some relief to Beijing ahead of tariff talks with the US this weekend. Joining us to discuss the latest developments in foreign exchange and metals markets is Tim Gagie, Head of FX and Precious Metals Solutions in Geneva.

00:00 Introduction: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

00:27 Markets wrap-up: Lucija Caculovic, Investment Writing

07:26 FX and metals: Tim Gagie, Head of FX & PM Solutions Geneva

11:45 Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

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The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at its policy meeting yesterday and Chair Jerome Powell made it clear that with inflation still running above target, the Fed has no intention of cutting rates pre-emptively. He also warned that if tariff levels remain where they are, then a risk is posed to economic growth and inflation. Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research, provides more insight into the Fed’s decision making and its market impact on today’s show and Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics & Next Generation Research, provides a timely update on the oil market, sharing his insights into the latest market events.

00:00 Introduction: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

00:38 Markets wrap-up: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

06:49 Oil update: Norbert Rücker, Head of Economics & Next Generation Research

10:22 Bond market update post-Fed: Dario Messi, Head of Fixed Income Research

17:36 Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

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It took two attempts, but German conservative leader Merz was elected chancellor by parliament on Tuesday after an unprecedented defeat on the first attempt got his coalition government off to a wobbly start. Market sentiment took another U-turn yesterday, with global equities falling back for a second day ahead of today’s US Federal Reserve rate decision. News that trade negotiations are going well and that initial US and China trade talks will take place this Saturday did little to improve investors’ mood. Richard Tang, Head of Research in Hong Kong, discusses how markets reacted to the news and provides more details on Beijing’s policy measures as well as the geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

00:00 Introduction: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

00:28 Markets wrap-up: Jan Bopp, Investment Writing

06:09 Asia update: Richard Tang, Head of Research Hong Kong

14:29 Closing remarks: Bernadette Anderko, Investment Writing

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US equities struggled yesterday as the S&P 500 index snapped its nine-day winning streak with a modest rotation into defensive stocks. Meanwhile, the broad US dollar sell-off against Asian currencies is fuelling speculation that regional economies are allowing their currencies to strengthen to gain leverage in US trade negotiations. Also on today’s podcast, we are joined by Nenad Dinic, Equity Strategy Research, who shares his insights on Japan as well as the recent outperformance of emerging markets relative to developed market equities.

00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

00:28 Markets wrap-up by Jonti Warris (Investment Writing)

06:20 Japan and EM Asia equities by Nenad Dinic (Equity Strategy Research)

12:04,8 Closing remarks by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

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Global equity markets have largely recovered their losses since 2 April, or Liberation Day, with Australia, Mexico and Germany's DAX among the best performers. Warren Buffett will step down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of the year after 45 years. Brent oil falls below USD 60 a barrel, a four-year low, after OPEC+ announces further supply increases. The Taiwan dollar has jumped 5% against the USD, its biggest intraday gain in 30 years, sparking speculation that Asian countries are seeking to revalue their currencies to win US trade concessions. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis Research, notes that Germany's DAX index is within 2% of its all-time high, reflecting its relative strength against US equities.

00:00 Introduction: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

00:31 Markets wrap-up: Mike Rauber, Investment Writing

06:28 Technical Analysis update: Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis

10:37 Closing remarks: Helen Freer, Investment Writing

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Equity markets continued their multi-day rally yesterday with the S&P 500 nearing its ‘Liberation Day’ level after the fastest 8-session gain since November 2020. The rally was driven by upbeat earnings from Microsoft and Meta. This optimism has continued overnight after China said it’s evaluating trade talks with the US, boosting optimism that tariff tensions will come down. And we have Markus Waeber from Real Estate Advisory on the show today to talk about the strong April performance of the Swiss Real Estate market and the unchanged positive outlook.

00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

00:27,5 Markets wrap-up by Jan Bopp (Investment Writing)

06:17 Real estate update by Markus Waeber (Head of Indirect Real Estate Advisory & Intelligence)

11:03 Closing remarks by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)

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