UBS On-Air: House View

The rapid early adoption of Meta’s Muse highlights the potential for consumer AI agents to expand monetization channels. We see rising adoption supporting hyperscalers’ returns on AI investment and strengthening demand across the semiconductor and hardware value chain.

Welcome to CIO Jumpstart, your guide to the main market events coming up in the week ahead. Today we ask the following three questions: 1. Can equities withstand higher yields after the Fed’s hawkish increase? 2. How far will Europe’s policy shift extend after the Fed rate hike? 3. Will progress in the Middle East ease pressure on oil prices?

While elevated oil prices and renewed monetary tightening are testing investor confidence, cash alone is unlikely to deliver the long-term returns needed to offset inflation, taxes, withdrawals, and longevity. Investors should maintain near-term liquidity while putting excess cash to work in diversified portfolios.

The Fed’s hawkish rate hike has led markets to price in more tightening. We believe this repricing creates opportunities in fixed income, but investors should remain selective on duration and credit risk.

Wednesday may see the Fed kick off a new tightening cycle in the US. For portfolios, the key questions concern earnings resilience, market pricing, and diversification.

Stronger safeguards need not derail the AI rally. We still favor diversified exposure across the AI value chain.

Welcome to CIO Jumpstart, your guide to the main market events coming up in the week ahead. Today we ask the following three questions: 1. Will the Fed signal more hikes to come? 2. Will other central banks follow the ECB’s hawkish lead? 3. Can robust AI demand reinforce broader economic resilience?

Rising oil prices and Treasury yields are testing investor confidence, but equities have remained resilient. We believe solid economic growth, robust earnings, and strong AI investment should help stocks withstand higher rates. We remain constructive on equities and recommend broad exposure across sectors and geographies.

Brent crude rose above USD 100/bbl on Wednesday as geopolitical tensions and tightening physical supplies support prices. But we believe strong earnings growth, sustained AI investment, and diversified portfolio exposure can help global markets withstand higher energy costs.

Gold may face near-term pressure from higher interest rates and a stronger US dollar, but we believe its long-term investment case remains intact. Robust central bank buying, fiscal concerns, and demand for protection against inflation and geopolitical risks reinforce its role as a portfolio diversifier.