Stock markets pushed back into positive territory by quarterly results

Eurizon Weekly 20 May 2024. Last week investor focus was on US macro data, and in particular on the much-anticipated April inflation reading, that was in line with expectations, showing a slight decline. The stock markets benefited most, pricing in the resilience of the US economy, devoid of excessive accelerations, and a marginal stabilisation of the level of interest rates. Stefano Cucchi of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 20 May 2024.

Eurizon Weekly, 13 May 2024. The stock markets performed well in the course of last week, benefiting from the stabilisation of government bond yields and from the quarterly corporate earnings reports. The macro picture confirmed that the US economy, while still solid, is not heading for an overheating phase, whereas in Europe industrial output showed signs of weakness, fuelling investor expectations for the opening of the ECB’s rate cut cycle in June. Investor focus is now entirely on the US inflation reading, out on Wednesday, called to validate the soft-landing scenario priced in since the beginning of the year. Andrea Conti, Head of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 13 May 2024.

Andrea Conti, Head of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, explains the AM company’s positioning for the month ahead, in light of a baseline scenario that combines stable growth in the US and a gradual reacceleration in the Eurozone. Inflation seems to be stabilising and is close to target in the Eurozone, but still above target in the US. Impact of geopolitical themes modest. Audio recorded on 30 Apr. 2024.

Eurizon Weekly 29.04.24 The stock market recovered supported by quarterly earnings reports as well as by a macro picture still benefiting from a solid consumption trend. The re-pricing of monetary policy expectations continues Stefano Cucchi, of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, takes a closer look. Laura Dalbosco, of the same team, reports on PMI indicators. Audio recorded on 29 April 2024.

Eurizon Weekly 22.04.24. The risk of a potential escalation in the Middle East, combined with uncertainty over the future path of interest rates, in the US in particular, translated into a rather volatile week on all the major markets. Stefano Cucchi of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 22 Apr. 2024.

Eurizon Weekly, 15 Apr. 2024. US inflation rose and beat expectations on the upside for the third month in a row, and combined with the risk of the crisis in the Middle East spreading, with the direct involvement of Iran, fuelled uncertainty among investors. Andrea Conti, Head of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 15 April 2024.

Eurizon Weekly 8 April. 2024. In the course of the week, the mix of US macro data and statements made by Fed officials generated renewed uncertainty over the policy rate reduction path. This translated into a marginal rise of government bond yields, while the major stock indices consolidated at their previous levels. Focus will mostly stay on the US market and on the Fed. Stefano Cucchi, of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team takes a closer look.Audio recorded on 8 April, 2024.

Andrea Conti, Head of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, explains the AM company’s positioning for the coming month, in light of a baseline scenario that combines a slower downtrend of inflation compared to the second half of 2023, stable growth in the US, and signals of the slowdown in the Eurozone coming to an end. The central banks have declared they intend to cut policy rates, but not before mid-year. Geopolitical themes are having a modest impact. Audio recorded on 28 March 2024.

Eurizon Weekly 25 Mar. 2024. The much-anticipated FOMC meeting was last week’s main event. The US central bank Fed kept rates unchanged for the fifth consecutive meeting, and raised both its growth and inflation forecasts. During the meeting, the Fed reasserted its intention to implement three rate cuts in 2024, thus confirming the announcement made in December and removing concerns of a potential reduction to two moves: the message was swiftly priced in by the stock markets, that performed well in the week. Bonds also performed well, on the shorter end of the curve in particular. Stefano Cucchi, of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 25 Mar. 2024.

Eurizon Weekly 15 Mar. 2024. Last week, investor focus was on data on the evolution of prices in the US, the downtrend of which seems to have slowed. Market operator caution prevailed, waiting on the Fed meeting this week to provide greater details on its future monetary policy choices. Expectations for the start and the scope of the interest rate cut cycle are still the main determinant factor of volatility on the markets. Stefano Cucchi, of Eurizon’s Macro Research & Product Specialist team, takes a closer look. Audio recorded on 15 Mar. 2024.