Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - Light relief

Geopolitics remained in focus last week, with signs of de-escalation between the US and Iran, boosting market sentiment. Better-than-expected economic updates across the US, Europe and China, alongside upbeat Q1 US corporate earnings further supported global markets.

Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - A high price to pay

Last week, the Middle East conflict continued to dominate market sentiment. Economic data signaled price pressures and slowing activity.

Publication date time
1 week 4 days ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - 21 tonne salute

In a holiday-shortened and geo-politically volatile week, economic data came in stronger than expected—US jobs, manufacturing, retail sales, and confidence all beat forecasts. China showed improving economic momentum and India’s manufacturing output rose. At the same time, in the Eurozone, price pressures from the surge in energy costs are emerging.

Publication date time
2 weeks 4 days ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - Conflict pressure mounts

Geopolitics and rising energy prices dominated markets last week, raising stagflation concerns. Early signs of fallout from the Middle East conflict are emerging, with softer PMIs across several economies. In the US, consumer sentiment weakened as inflation expectations rose. UK inflation held steady in February but faces upward pressure from higher energy costs, while Japan’s inflation eased on subsidies. China’s industrial profits rose, pointing to a firmer recovery

Publication date time
3 weeks 5 days ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - Testing gold’s resolve

Last week was marked by major central bank meetings and escalating geopolitical tensions. Most central banks, including the Fed, ECB, BoE, BoJ, held rates steady but highlighted rising inflation risks and signaled a hawkish bias, while the RBA hiked. Economic data was mixed, stronger in China but weaker across other major economies.

Publication date time
1 month ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - Credit, where credit’s due

Global markets faced a turbulent week as the West Asian conflict added to existing economic uncertainty. Economic data pointed to moderating US growth, flat UK GDP, and a sharp drop in Eurozone industrial production, while China continued to post large trade surpluses.

Publication date time
1 month ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor - What gives: oil or yields?

Global markets remained under pressure last week. In the US, unexpected job losses, rising unemployment and weaker retail sales pointed to softening momentum, while private credit concerns persisted and the VIX rose. Eurozone inflation surprised on the upside amid risks from rising oil prices.

Publication date time
1 month 1 week ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: Crisis hedge

Last week, global developments were marked by inflationary pressures in advanced economies, uneven growth momentum, and a sharp escalation of geo-political tensions. US price pressures remained firm despite softer activity. Europe posted mixed inflation and patchy demand, China signaled cautious domestic demand, while India’s growth stayed robust. Escalating US–Israel–Iran tensions disrupted key energy and transport routes, heightening geopolitical and market risks.

Publication date time
1 month 2 weeks ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: A silver lining playbook?

Last week’s updates pointed to an uneven but resilient global economic backdrop and persistent policy uncertainty. The US economy slowed in Q4, the trade deficit widened, inflation firmed, Fed divisions emerged and the Supreme court blocked global tariffs. Europe and Japan showed improving momentum and easing price pressures, while in India activity stayed steady, though trade deficits widened sharply.

Publication date time
1 month 3 weeks ago

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Jennifer Johnson-Calari

JJC Advisory

The International Monetary System and the Canary in the Goldmine

Over history, the world has adopted the currency of the leading country for global payments. The USD is, arguably, the first global currency untethered from precious metals.

Publication date time
8 months ago

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Weekly Markets Monitor

Weekly Markets Monitor: Policy bear not hibernating

Trade deals and tariffs, coupled with weak US labour market data, dominated sentiment last week, while both the Fed and Bank of Japan held rates steady as they monitor the impact of tariffs on prices. 

Publication date time
8 months 2 weeks ago

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Ray Jia

Head of Research (Asia Pacific, ex-India) and Deputy Head of Trade Engagement (China) World Gold Council

China’s gold market in June: wholesale demand remained weak while ETFs inflows continued

In June, China’s wholesale gold demand remained weak, ending H1 with little changes compared to 2023. Chinese gold ETFs saw their seventh consecutive monthly inflow, pushing both of their assets under management and holdings to record highs. Meanwhile, the People’s Bank of China reported no gold reserve changes.

Publication date time
1 year 9 months ago

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