Investing goals
by Stephen Nguyen, CFA
As an avid sports fan, I have always enjoyed being involved in all things sports related. Having participated in various team-based and individual sports throughout my life, I of course enjoy watching a variety of different sports, be it golf, tennis, or football. Sporting events often bring people together and teach us the importance of values and hard work. If we look at successful sports teams or individuals, there are lots of similarities that can be drawn between them and professional investors
Market Snapshot
- Global equities declined 2.6% last week
- Lockdown restrictions widen in China as concerns escalate in the capital Beijing
- Brent crude fell 4.5% to 1067 a barrel amid concerns about China’s demand and after Libya said it would resume output at its closed fields in the coming days
- Gold fell by 0.2% to $1,931.6 per ounce
The benign conditions enjoyed by financial markets in the 18 months since the depths of the pandemic were well and truly shattered in the first quarter of 2022, driven by two powerful shocks, both largely unexpected and each with huge consequences globally: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Fed’s very sharp hawkish shift in policy. The immediate consequences of the war produced surges in energy prices and further disruptions to key commodity markets and supply chains, adding to the damage inflicted by the pandemic. But away from commodities, there were few markets that could withstand the heightened risk of a significant slowdown in global growth and much higher interest rates than anticipated only a few months earlier.
Whatever it takes, China
by Lorenzo La Posta, CFA
This is not the first time I have written about Chinese equities and loyal readers will remember last August, when the media were calling it an “uninvestable” market, we were finding pockets of value and interesting opportunities. This year, a new wind is blowing under the Red Dragon’s wings.
But let’s rewind the tape and press play on February 2021. Valentine’s Day had just gone, the stock market was at a peak, but no one knew what was coming
Market Snapshot
- Global equities fell -1.4% last week
- President Macron is set to face far-right rival Marine Le Pen in the second and final stage of the French presidential election in two weeks’ time
- Brent crude fell -1.5% over the week to $102.8 a barrel
- Gold returned +1.1% to $1947.5 per ounce
Jordy Shore
by Alex Harvey, CFA
Covid travel restrictions have now finally been lifted for passengers arriving in the UK. I’ve been fortunate to travel abroad in recent months including a trip to Jordan, with its rich cultural heritage spanning ancient civilisations and sites sacred to Christianity, Judaism and Islam. One regional constant over the millennia has been the Dead Sea; the world’s deepest hypersaline lake. Its shores emerge from a depth of over 300m to mark the lowest land elevation on our planet at 430 metres below sea level
Market Snapshot
- Global equities increased by +0.3% last week.
- Russian and Ukrainian negotiators will resume remote talks today.
- Brent crude decreased by -13.5% to $104.39 a barrel on plans for a release of US reserves.
- Gold decreased by -1.7% to $1925.68 per ounce
