Weekly investment insights

Weekly investment update

What's been happening in markets?

  • Equities: Equity markets advanced across the board last week, excluding the UK. The FTSE 100 retreated -0.2% whilst Europe gained +0.1% and the US +0.6%. Gains were also seen in Emerging Markets of +0.3%. Broad positive sentiment was driven through strong earnings from some of the Magnificent 7 names; although concerns linger regarding increased CapEx estimates for AI.
  • Bonds: UK government bonds retreated -0.2%; 10yr UK yield is currently 5.03%. US bond prices fell -0.8% ; 10yr US yield is currently 4.41%. Global bonds fell -0.3%.
  • Diversifiers: Gold was down -2.1%, with central banks adding gold to balance sheets in Q1. Bitcoin gained +1.8% to rise to $79,793 as risk on sentiment flowed into the alternative asset space. Brent crude oil gained +2.9% to reach $108/bbl following no advancement in peace talks.

Key market drivers

  • US Tariffs: Trump says he will hike EU car tariff to 25%, from 15%. The car industry is a very large employer in Europe; namely in Germany and France.
  • Interest Rates: Rates held for UK, US, Europe, Canada and Japan. Japan vote was 6 holds vs 3 hikes, largest divide under current governorship.
  • Iran War: Strait of Hormuz remains shut; now in 3rd month of War; Trump claims to have struck 7 Iranian small boats in the Strait of Hormuz.

Chart of the week

The Iran war has stock markets on tenterhooks

In this week’s ‘Chart of the Week’ we examine how stock markets have performed during previous conflicts in the Middle East involving the US.

The chart shows the performance of the MSCI World Index over the first 100 days following the start of the war, specifically for
– Operation Desert Storm to liberate Kuwait in 1991
– The Afghanistan War in 2001
– The Iraq War in 2003

The stock markets mostly reacted negatively only in the short term or in the run-up to these conflicts. In all three cases, the global equity index was well into positive territory 100 days after the start of the war. In 1991, the dollar also strengthened significantly, which boosted returns in Pounds somewhat.

Reactions remain limited for now. Measured in pounds, there was a decline of just 3 per cent. Prices have stabilised in recent days.

Upcoming events

Monday 20th April
  • N/A
Tuesday:
  • UK: Unemployment Report (February)
  • US: Retail Sales (March)
Wednesday:
  • UK: Inflation (March)
  • Europe: Consumer Confidence (April)
Thursday:
  • UK: Purchasing Managers Index (April)
  • US/Europe/Japan: Purchasing Managers Index (April)
Friday:
  • UK: Retail Sales (March)
  • Japan: Inflation (March)

This content is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Investments can rise or fall in value, and you may receive less than you originally invested.

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