Market insights

In the balance

18 APRIL 2024

The first few months of 2024 have come as somewhat of a surprise to investors. For example, US growth has stayed resilient, continuing to defy the odds of recession, so markets have had to reevaluate their expectations for the year. And we are no different. Investing is about finding the right balance between having conviction in your long-term strategy and being conscious of the opportunities in the short term.

Does the US Federal Reserve need to cut rates in the summer?

15 APRIL 2024

The release of the March US consumer inflation data, which was hotter than expected, lead markets to rethink when the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would start cutting rates. Markets now expect the Fed will cut rates later and only twice this year.

Markets turning to US inflation again

8 APRIL 2024

Major equity indices fell last week, likely concerned by escalating tensions in the Middle East, which pushed oil prices above 90 US dollars per barrel for the first time since October 2023.

Retire in style: four steps for planning new possibilities

3 APRIL 2024

Living longer brings the prospect of exciting opportunities in retirement but making the most of them requires careful planning.

How much do central banks affect markets?

25 MARCH 2024

After eight years in negative territory, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) lifted its key policy rate to 0-0.1% last week. It was an important move but widely expected, so markets carried on as usual.

What’s driving the equity rally?

18 MARCH 2024

Equity indices from the US to Japan and through Europe continue to make record highs week after week. Last week was no different, although some indices closed flat such as the US S&P 500. There’s a structural element to this rally, which we carry in our portfolios.

Sustainability: Seizing the opportunity

14 MARCH 2024

The way people think about money and investing has changed. Today, your kid’s favorite sneaker brand, in which you might be an investor, must not only produce cool shoes but also use eco-friendly materials and ensure fair wages. That's the ongoing transformation we are witnessing in sustainable finance.

Interest rates cuts still likely in June

11 MARCH 2024

It wasn’t obvious from the solid figures on job growth, but we’ve got more signs that the US labour market is indeed cooling. The unemployment rate rose to 3.9%, the highest reading since January 2022, while wage growth, job openings, and job quits slowed. This combination of data supported markets.

Markets focusing on better US prospects

4 MARCH 2024

There were no big surprises from last week’s US inflation reading (the personal consumption expenditures index), which rose 0.3% from December to January or 2.4% year-on-year. This has left markets largely unperturbed as strong earnings and economic growth continue to drive sentiment upward. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq equity indices closed at record highs again, while US Treasury yields remained flat.

Is Investing in Fashion?

1 MARCH 2024

As the curtains rise on London Fashion Week, the world's fashionistas eagerly anticipate the unveiling of the latest trends destined to define autumn and winter 2024.

The Nvidia-led stock market rally

26 FEBRUARY 2024

Despite some apprehension from markets early last week (Nvidia stock price fell by 10% before results were announced), Nvidia’s quarterly earnings did beat expectations once again.

Reshoring – The world is not flat anymore

21 FEBRUARY 2024

After three decades of globalisation, could reshoring change the global order?

A balancing act between expectations and reality

19 FEBRUARY 2024

Last week, US inflation slowed less than expected. This caused equity and bond prices to fall and the US dollar to rise as markets quickly reevaluated their expectations of rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve (Fed).

The tide is turning

12 FEBRUARY 2024

In our 2024 Investment Outlook, released in December 2023, I mentioned the importance of building an investment strategy with multiple time horizons in mind. And, over the past two months, things have changed for the medium-term growth outlook. In January, the 2023 US growth figures came in better than expected, showing a resilience in the US economy that the market didn’t anticipate.

No imminent rate cut is no problem for buoyant US economy

5 FEBRUARY 2024

The US Federal Reserve (Fed), Bank of England (BoE) and Sweden’s Riksbank all kept interest rates unchanged at their meetings last week.

Better growth prospects boost markets

29 JANUARY 2024

US equities continued to rise to make new record highs last week. US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, said that inflation is now under control.

(Invest) some of your time

24 JANUARY 2024

Speaking about foresight and perceptiveness in markets, John Maynard Keynes, likely one the most well-known economists ever, said that successful investing is anticipating the anticipations of others. Keynes was also an investor.

Patience in an uncertain environment

22 JANUARY 2024

US equities rose back to their historical highs last week, driven mainly by AI optimism as chipmakers from the US to Taiwan posted strong gains.

Making New Year’s resolutions for your wealth legacy

17 JANUARY 2024

There’s no better time for tackling the tough emotional issues involved in making a plan that can give you and your family a great deal of fulfilment

The last-mile inflation challenge

15 JANUARY 2024

The second week of 2024 saw rising equity prices after starting the year with a sharp pullback. Sector-wise, the main US technology segments rose the most, energy lagged.

Have rate cut expectations gone too far?

8 JANUARY 2024

Markets cheered as central banks held rates at the end of 2023 and priced in more rate cuts for this year. These dynamics bolstered equity markets, which continued to rally towards year-end.

Our 2024 outlook

Cutting through the noise

Simplifying the investment landscape in complex markets.
Quintet’s investment experts share their views on the economy, markets and investing as part of their 2024 market outlook.

DISCOVER OUR 2024 INVESTMENT OUTLOOK