AHR Weekly Market Update Podcast

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 18th May 2025. Global equities surged last week, buoyed by an apparent thaw in trade tensions between the United States and China. Under the provisional accord, recently imposed tariffs will be suspended for 90 days to allow further negotiations. On the economic data front, US inflation showed signs of further moderation. Headline CPI rose 0.2% in April, driven mainly by housing costs, with the annual rate easing to 2.3% — its slowest pace since February 2021. In the UK, economic data surprised to the upside. Equity markets responded in kind. US stocks led global gains, rising over 5% on the week and the technology sector up 7.2%. Meanwhile, the rally in gold paused. The precious metal declined for the third time in four weeks, falling nearly 5% to around $3,200 per ounce — retreating from its record high of over $3,400 set in April.That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 4th May 2025. Global equity markets continued their recent recovery over the week, as improving sentiment around global trade and positive corporate earnings took centre stage.First-quarter corporate earnings in the United States are coming in ahead of expectations, helping lift equity markets despite renewed signs of economic fragility. However, guidance for the second quarter has notably deteriorated. Corporates are flagging mounting headwinds, particularly around consumer demand and persistent trade uncertainties. Economic data releases over the week were mixed. In contrast, eurozone economic activity accelerated. Preliminary estimates showed GDP expanded by 0.4% in the first quarter, doubling the pace seen in the final months of 2024 and exceeding consensus forecasts.The US labour market continues to hold firm. Equity markets responded positively. US stocks rose almost 3% over the week, buoyed by strong tech sector earnings. Oil prices came under renewed pressure, falling 7% after OPEC+ announced plans to increase production by 411,000 barrels per day in June. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 27th April 2025. Global equity markets advanced last week, buoyed by signs that tensions between the United States and China may be easing. Sentiment was further lifted by speculation over potential near-term agreements with other trading partners, alongside comments from US President Donald Trump that appeared to soften his recent threats to dismiss Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.The technology sector led gains on Wall Street, with the S&P 500's tech stocks surging nearly 8% over the week. Elsewhere, the International Monetary Fund revised down its forecasts for global economic growth, citing risks stemming from heightened tariffs. US equities rose 4.6% over the week, with the technology sector posting a standout gain of 6.7% following strong earnings reports. US government bonds posted modest gains as yields declined across the curve, particularly at the longer end, with the 10-year Treasury yield closing near 4.26% on growing expectations of an economic slowdown.In commodities, oil prices extended their losses for the year, slipping 1.2% over the week. Looking to the week ahead, investor focus will turn to corporate earnings, with four of the so-called 'Magnificent Seven' tech giants set to report in the coming days. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 20th April 2025. US stocks underperformed global markets in a holiday-shortened week, with investors still weighing the implications of Washington's evolving stance on global trade tariffs.The European Central Bank, as widely anticipated, trimmed its deposit rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%. In the UK, inflation cooled more than expected in March, easing to 2.6% from 2.8% in February, below consensus forecasts of 2.7%. Meanwhile, China's economy delivered another upside surprise. GDP rose by 5.4% year-on-year in the first quarter, marking a second consecutive beat versus forecasts. US equity markets shed 1.5% over the week, led lower by a 2.6% drop in the technology sector. Fixed income assets continued to be a haven of safety for investors with the US 10 year treasury yield falling back to 4.33% and long duration US credit up almost 2% for the week.In commodities, gold extended its winning run, rising for the sixth time in seven weeks. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 13th April 2025. Following the prior week's tariff shockwaves which unsettled global markets, US equities staged a spirited rebound, clawing back a portion of the steep losses incurred. China was notably excluded from the temporary pause. Instead, the Trump administration pressed ahead with a series of escalating tariff hikes targeting Chinese imports, with some levies rising as high as 145%. Despite fears that elevated tariffs might stoke inflationary pressures, the latest US Consumer Price Index print told a different story. In equity markets, the Nasdaq posted one of its sharpest single-day gains on record, leading a broad-based rally that saw US stocks rise 5.7% over the week. Bond markets were not immune to the week's turbulence. US Treasuries sold off, with yields climbing across the curve. Amid the geopolitical noise, earnings season kicked off on Friday with a slate of upbeat results from major US banks. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 6th April 2025. US equities endured their sharpest weekly decline since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, with the S&P 500 hurtling towards bear market territory.Tensions were ratcheted up on April 2nd, as President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping and unexpectedly aggressive set of reciprocal tariffs. Despite the heightened volatility, Friday brought a surprisingly strong US jobs report. For the week, US equities shed more than 9%, with the technology sector faring even worse — down over 10% — and now firmly in bear market territory, having fallen more than 20% year-to-date. Safe-haven demand drove US 10-year Treasury yields down to around 4%, with long-duration investment-grade bonds rallying to deliver weekly returns of approximately 3%. While further volatility appears likely as markets digest the implications of the tariff regime, investors would do well to remain calm. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 23rd March 2025. US equity markets broke a run of weekly losses, eking out modest gains, while European bourses extended their strong start to the year. The US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady at its March meeting, maintaining the federal funds rate in the 4.25%–4.50% range for a second consecutive time. Updated projections from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) suggest officials still anticipate two rate cuts in both 2025 and 2026, according to the so-called "dot plot". Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England struck a more hawkish tone. Meanwhile in Asia, the Bank of Japan opted to keep its short-term interest rate steady at 0.5%, as expected. In China, economic data painted a more upbeat picture. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 16th March 2025. US equities entered correction territory this week, as government bonds continued to outshine risk assets and gold soared to new record highs.Trade tensions ratcheted higher after President Donald Trump announced a dramatic escalation in tariffs, slapping a 50% duty on Canadian steel and aluminium imports—double the originally proposed 25%. Inflation data offered a mixed picture.In Washington, a government shutdown was narrowly averted after Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a spending bill, extending funding through to the end of September. Equity markets delivered broadly negative returns over the week, with US stocks shedding more than 2%, European indices down 1.2%, and UK equities slipping by over 0.5%. Meanwhile, gold briefly breached the $3,000-per-ounce threshold for the first time on Friday morning, capping a remarkable rally that has seen the precious metal gain over 13% since the start of the year. Much focus for the week ahead will be on the interest rate decisions of the US Federal Reserve, Bank of England and Bank of Japan. Whilst all are expected to hold rates, investors will eagerly await commentary around the path of future rate moves.That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 9th March 2025. Global financial markets faced significant volatility during the week, as escalating trade tensions and mixed economic data weighed heavily on investor sentiment.U.S. equities experienced notable declines across major indices with the S&P 500 falling 3.1%, marking its sharpest weekly decline since September 2024.Investors grappled with uncertainty stemming from President Donald Trump's announcement of increased tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China.On the economic front, the U.S. added 151,000 jobs in February, slightly below expectations, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.1% from 4% in January.European stocks climbed on Thursday after the European Central Bank approved a rate cut for its sixth policy meeting in a row, taking the central bank rate to 2.5%. Despite these moves European markets displayed mixed performances over the week.Asian markets experienced gains, with Japanese equities rising by 1% and Chinese equities also up 1.4%.In commodities oil prices declined, with WTI crude ending the week down 3.68%, amid concerns over global demand and potential oversupply. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 3rd March 2025. US equities declined for a second consecutive week, as European stocks continued to outperform year-to-date and government bond yields retreated on concerns over the latest US economic data.The highlight of the economic calendar came on Friday with the release of the core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index—widely regarded as the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. On the corporate front, the latest earnings season delivered an upside surprise, with companies in the S&P 500 reporting an average earnings growth of 17.8% compared with the same quarter a year earlier, according to FactSet data.The broader US market finished the week down 1%, with technology stocks bearing the brunt of the sell-off, sliding 3.5%. In contrast, European equities eked out a 0.6% gain, while UK stocks rallied 1.75%. Chinese markets struggled, shedding more than 2% over the week.Most of the declines came on Friday following an escalation in trade tensions. President Trump announced fresh tariffs, slapping an additional 10% levy on Chinese imports effective 4 March, alongside 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. In fixed income markets, US Treasury yields fell to their lowest levels in nearly three months as investors digested the latest economic data. Elsewhere, the recent sell-off in cryptocurrencies accelerated. Bitcoin dropped to around $84,500 by Friday, down roughly 12% on the week and 18% over the month. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 23rd February 2025. Geopolitical tensions and trade policy took centre stage this week, with US President Donald Trump's diplomatic overtures to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict competing for attention alongside his announcement of fresh tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and lumber. Economic data from the US painted a subdued picture, with business activity growth nearing stagnation. In the UK, inflation data threw a spanner in the works for those anticipating swift monetary easing from the Bank of England. Meanwhile, Japan's economy continued to expand, with GDP growing at an annualised rate of 2.8% in the final quarter of 2024—the third consecutive quarter of expansion. The week's market movements reflected broader investor caution. In the US, equities fell 1.7%, with technology stocks bearing the brunt of the sell-off, dropping 2.5%. UK equities also struggled, declining 0.8% following the hotter-than-expected inflation print, while European markets eked out a modest 0.7% gain. By contrast, mainland Chinese equities bucked the trend, with the CSI 300 Index rising 1.0% on the back of strong earnings from key technology firms. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 16th February 2025. European equities extended their outperformance against their US counterparts over the past week, as investors digested a raft of fresh corporate earnings, the latest tariff announcements from US President Donald Trump, and a hotter-than-expected US inflation print.Headline consumer price inflation (CPI) in the US rose 0.5% month-on-month and 3.0% year-on-year in January, picking up pace from December's readings of 0.4% and 2.9%, respectively. However, the rise in inflation was not confined to these components. Core inflation, which strips out the more volatile food and energy prices, ticked up to 3.3% from 3.2%, fuelled by rising costs across both goods and services. Meanwhile, earnings growth for the S&P 493 (excluding the so-called Magnificent 7) is showing signs of acceleration after a two-year lull. The UK economy eked out a modest 0.1% GDP growth rate in the final quarter of 2024, surpassing economists' expectations after stagnating in the previous three-month period. The latest GDP figures, released on Thursday, arrived just a week after the Bank of England opted to cut its benchmark interest rate in response to a cooling inflation backdrop.US equities closed the week with a 1.5% gain, driven by a 2.6% rise in the technology sector. Elsewhere, gold surged to a record high during a volatile session in metals trading on Friday, briefly touching $2,964 before paring gains in the afternoon. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 9th February 2025. Global stocks slipped to start the week amid the imposition of tariffs and subsequent trade negotiations involving the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. In fixed income, government bond yields eased further. Across the Atlantic, the latest US non-farm payrolls report underscored the continued resilience of the labour market. Wage growth is emerging as a key factor in the inflation outlook. Average hourly earnings rose by 4.1% year-on-year, outpacing forecasts of 3.8%.The US corporate earnings season is now in full swing, with results broadly surpassing expectations. Commodity markets, however, presented a more mixed picture. Oil prices fell for a third consecutive week, weighed down by escalating trade tensions and concerns over a potential softening in demand. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 2nd February 2025. Global equity markets delivered a mixed performance this week as investors digested a slew of central bank announcements, corporate earnings updates from the world's largest firms, and fresh economic data from the United States.The US Federal Reserve wrapped up its first meeting of 2025 on Wednesday, opting—as widely expected—to hold its policy rate steady at 4.25% to 4.50%. Meanwhile, in Europe, the European Central Bank (ECB) delivered a widely anticipated 25-basis-point rate cut, lowering its key deposit rate to 2.75%. Corporate earnings took centre stage this week, with four of the "Magnificent 7" reporting results. Tech stocks came under pressure early in the week, rebounding from Monday's sharp sell-off, triggered by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek. Looking at the broader picture, earnings for the S&P 500 are on track for 12% year-on-year growth, potentially marking the strongest expansion since 2021. Fourth-quarter GDP data confirmed that the US economy remains on solid footing, with growth coming in at 2.3% annualised, just shy of expectations for 2.4%. Elsewhere, geopolitical tensions flared as the US imposed fresh tariffs on trading partners. It was a soft week for US equities, with the S&P 500 slipping 1%, though value stocks outperformed. In the commodities space, gold surged over 1% to an all-time high, surpassing its previous record set three months ago. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 26th January 2025. US equity markets soared to fresh record highs throughout the week as the inauguration of President Donald Trump took centre stage. Among the most notable directives was a declaration of a national energy emergency aimed at reducing restrictions on fossil-fuel production and fast-tracking new energy infrastructure projects.Following these developments, energy markets appeared unsettled, with oil prices dipping in response. Trade policy also remained in the spotlight, although the much-feared wave of tariffs has yet to materialise. President Trump also unveiled an executive order aimed at making the United States the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI). On the corporate front, earnings offered further support to US markets. By Friday, fourth-quarter net income for S&P 500 companies was expected to rise by 12.7% compared with the same period last year, based on results already reported and projections for companies yet to announce.For the week, US equities advanced 1.7%, while European shares gained 1.2%, buoyed by the absence of immediate tariff announcements. In commodities, the rally in US crude oil came to a halt, with prices falling over 3% this week, snapping a four-week winning streak. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com.

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 19th January 2025. Global equity markets rallied over the week, while bond yields eased as investors sifted through a host of macroeconomic data releases.In the US, December's headline CPI climbed to 2.9% from 2.7%, driven by a surge in energy prices. US corporate earnings season brought some cheer, with major banks beating expectations. In the UK, inflationary pressures eased more than anticipated. Headline CPI for December slowed to 2.5%, down from 2.6% in November, fuelling speculation that the Bank of England could cut interest rates as early as February. Germany's economic struggles continued, with GDP shrinking by 0.2% in 2024, marking a second consecutive annual contraction. China's economy grew by 5% in 2024, meeting government targets. On equity markets, US value stocks led the way, with broad indices gaining just under 3% and technology stocks up 2.4%. In commodities, oil prices continued their upward march, rising to their highest levels since August. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 12th January 2025. Global equity and bond markets endured a bruising week as seemingly positive economic data from the United States cast a shadow over valuations in both asset classes.U.S. job growth surprised on the upside in December, with nonfarm payrolls surging by 256,000, marking the strongest gain since March and comfortably outstripping economists' expectations of a 160,000 increase. The robust jobs report has further cemented the view that the Federal Reserve is unlikely to alter interest rates this month, with markets now speculating that policymakers may limit rate cuts to a single instance this year. In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, with the benchmark 10-year note touching 4.79%—its highest level in over 14 months—before settling slightly lower at 4.77% by the close on Friday.Across the Atlantic, similar concerns reverberated through UK markets. For the week, US equities sold off around 2% as investors adjusted to the potential for higher interest rates than previously forecasted. U.S. crude oil prices notched their third consecutive weekly gain, closing in on the $77 per barrel mark on Friday. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's Titan International market review for the week ending 5th January 2025. In a week shortened by the New Year holiday, equity markets broadly retreated, bond yields edged lower, and oil prices surged amid renewed concerns over global supply constraints.Looking back at the year that has been, the S&P 500 ended 2024 on a high note, delivering its second consecutive annual gain of over 20%. Meanwhile, 2024 proved tumultuous for bonds, as long-term yields climbed despite the Federal Reserve cutting its policy rate by 1%. Looking at the week just been, Investor sentiment turned sour, partly driven by a revision to U.S. economic forecasts. Adding to the gloom, corporate updates weighed on Wall Street. Looking ahead, Wall Street will focus on the upcoming earnings season, with major U.S. banks kicking off reporting in mid-January. Across global equity markets, U.S. stocks slid by 0.5% over the week, while European equities posted a modest gain of 0.2%. Oil prices captured attention, with U.S. crude climbing over 4% for the week to settle near $74 per barrel—the highest level since mid-October. That's all for this week's Titan International Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to titanwealthinternational.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 15th December 2024. Global equity markets retreated over the week as US inflation ticked higher, the ECB cut interest rates, and the UK economy contracted for the second month in a row.The release of November's US Consumer Price Index (CPI) marked the final major economic indicator ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting. Headline CPI ticked up to 2.7% year-on-year, marking its second consecutive increase—something not seen in the last eight months. Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank (ECB) cut its key deposit rate by 0.25 percentage points to 3.0%, its fourth reduction this year. Over in the UK, the economy is showing signs of strain after a strong start to the year. With inflation in the services sector still stubbornly high, the Bank of England is expected to hold interest rates steady at its upcoming policy meeting. Over the week US equity markets fell over 0.5% although growth outperformed value with US technology etching out a 0.5% gain. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 24th November 2024. US equities led global markets this week, with the S&P 500 advancing around 2% as small-cap and value stocks outperformed growth counterparts. Investor sentiment was buoyed by economic data from the US, where initial jobless claims fell unexpectedly to 213,000, the lowest level since April 2024. Adding to the upbeat tone, nearly all third-quarter earnings results are now in, with S&P 500 companies on track to post an average year-over-year growth of 5.8%. In the UK, inflation pressures mounted significantly in October. Despite this, UK equities emerged as a standout performer among European markets, rising 2.5% over the week. After a sharp decline the prior week, US crude oil prices rebounded, gaining more than 6% to trade above $71 per barrel on Friday. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin extended its record-breaking rally, climbing above $99,000 by week's end. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 17th November 2024. Global equity markets retreated for the week, giving back much of the previous weeks gains, as investors digested what the incoming US presidents proposed policies might mean for the global economy.US consumer prices rose as expected in October, driven largely by higher shelter costs such as rents. The pace of progress toward lower inflation has slowed in recent months, potentially limiting the number of interest rate cuts the Federal Reserve may implement next year. Underlying inflation remained slightly elevated, though expectations remain for a third rate cut from the Federal Reserve in December. The UK economy slowed more than expected in the three months to September, with GDP growth slipping to 0.1% from 0.5% in the previous quarter. The services sector, which grew by a modest 0.1%, provided little support, while the construction sector was a rare bright spot, expanding by 0.8%. Major US retailers wrapped up earnings season, with S&P 500 companies on track to post a 5.4% increase in third-quarter earnings compared to a year earlier. Over the week US equities fell around 2% with US technology falling over 3%. European equities followed suit, falling over 2% as concerns of the new US President's trade policies unsettled investors. Perhaps the most notable performance since the US election result has been that of Bitcoin. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 10th November 2024. US equities surged to their best weekly performance in over a year, as a decisive result in the US presidential election lifted a cloud of uncertainty from the markets. With Republicans securing control of the presidency, Senate, and potentially the House, the stock market responded with its strongest post-election rally on record. The Federal Reserve's latest policy decision underscored a more cautious approach, with a 25-basis-point cut bringing the federal funds rate to 4.5%-4.75%. Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England mirrored the Fed's gradual shift towards easing, lowering its key rate by a quarter-point to 4.75% amid falling inflation. All major US equity markets hit record highs during the week, with Wednesday's election results the catalyst for the move. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields saw substantial volatility, with the 10-year yield surging briefly to 4.48% in mid-week trading before retreating to close around 4.30% on Friday, down from 4.37% the previous week. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 3rd November 2024. In what began as a relatively subdued week for markets, Thursday saw a jolt of volatility, with stocks taking a tumble as fresh worries over the growth potential of technology shares and artificial intelligence rattled investors.The third-quarter earnings season for S&P 500 companies is now in full swing, and results have so far delivered modestly positive surprises. In the latest snapshot of the US labour market, October's nonfarm payroll report disappointed significantly, with just 12,000 jobs added versus an expected 100,000. Over in Europe, the eurozone economy notched up a 0.4% expansion in the third quarter—double the growth rate seen in Q2 and ahead of the 0.2% consensus forecast. Eurozone inflation provided another key talking point. Headline inflation ticked up to 2% year-on-year in October, a slight acceleration from 1.7% in September, due in part to last year's energy price declines dropping out of the comparison. In the UK, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves unveiled the first Labour budget in 14 years, earmarking an additional £70 billion in spending over the next five years, funded through £40 billion in tax increases and £32 billion in further borrowing. US equities shed over 1% for the week, reflecting concerns over tech sector valuations and rising bond yields. Looking to the week ahead, markets will be bracing for several pivotal events likely to drive sentiment. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 27th October 2024. Global equity markets experienced a sell-off last week amid a flurry of third-quarter corporate earnings announcements, while bond yields continued their upward trajectory, and oil prices saw a strong rally.As we reach the midway point of third quarter earnings season, a handful of mega-cap technology giants in the U.S. are anticipated to drive the bulk of earnings growth. Tesla, one of these tech behemoths, led the charge as last week's top performer in the S&P 500, boosting the broader index and staving off a steeper decline. Equities in the U.S. slid broadly by 1% over the week, with value and small-cap stocks hit hardest, dropping nearly 3%. U.S. Treasury yields continued their ascent, with the 10-year note climbing for the fifth time in six weeks. Finally, crude oil prices in the U.S. rallied almost 5% last week, reaching close to $72 per barrel by Friday afternoon. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 20th October 2024. Equity markets edged higher over the week as investors navigated a mixed bag of corporate earnings from the US, a rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB), and a drop in UK inflation.Nvidia, one of the globe's top chipmakers, saw its share price surge to an all-time high, pushing its market value to an eye-watering $3.4 trillion. As anticipated, the ECB lowered its key deposit rate by 25 basis points to 3.25%, marking the first back-to-back rate cut in 13 years. In the UK, softer-than-expected inflation figures and a dip in wage growth have fuelled speculation that the Bank of England (BoE) will move to cut rates again, with a further 0.25% almost guaranteed at the upcoming November meeting. Meanwhile, the latest data out of China painted a mixed picture. US equities rose almost 1% over the week, led by the energy and utilities sector. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 13th October 2024. The US equity markets surged to fresh record highs this week, while emerging markets, particularly China, saw a pause following their recent rally spurred by stimulus measures. In the United States, inflation data revealed a modest increase. The consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.2% in September, matching the previous month's rise. On an annual basis, inflation eased to 2.4%—the smallest increase since February 2021—down from a 2.5% rise the previous month. Also, during the week, earnings season began in earnest, with two major US banks posting strong third-quarter results, helping to lift their shares. Following the recent rally in Chinese equities, China's National Development and Reform Commission reiterated its commitment to ramping up countercyclical measures to support growth. Across global markets, US equities rose more than 1% for the week, led by financial stocks. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 6th October 2024. Tensions in the Middle East weighed on global equity markets for the week, as energy markets rallied and Chinese equities continued to gain momentum following the recent announcement of stimulus measures from the People's Bank of China.In September, the U.S. economy outpaced expectations by generating 254,000 new jobs, well above economists' forecast of 140,000, marking the strongest performance in six months. The robust labour market report has sparked speculation over its implications for Federal Reserve policy. Wage growth, which remains elevated at 4.0% year-on-year, suggests that inflationary pressures are still a concern for policymakers. US broad equities and technology both etched out small gains for the week, gaining momentum of Friday following the stronger than expected labour market report. While weighing on sentiment generally, the prospect of a wider war in the Middle East sent oil prices to their highest level in about a month, benefiting energy shares as well. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 29th September 2024. Global equity markets experienced a buoyant week, bolstered by fresh economic stimulus measures from China and softer-than-expected US inflation figures.China's central bank unveiled a series of initiatives designed to revitalise stock markets and provide support to its beleaguered property sector. In Europe, equity markets notched solid gains, with the broader index reaching its previous highs. Over in the US, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Index, revealed a gradual easing of price pressures. US equities ended the week with modest gains, extending their winning streak to a third consecutive week. European stocks were buoyed by China's policy announcements, rising 2.69%, while UK equities posted a gain of over 1%.Meanwhile, US crude oil prices slid nearly 4% for the week, ending below $69 per barrel by Friday, a sharp drop from July's high of nearly $84, leaving oil prices little changed for the year.That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 22nd September 2024. Global equity markets saw a boost this week after the US Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate for the first time since March 2020. While equity markets welcomed the rate cut, its scale may indicate a shift in the Fed's priorities—from controlling inflation to supporting economic growth. Meanwhile, in the UK, the Bank of England (BoE) held its base rate steady at 5.0%, as widely anticipated, with the Monetary Policy Committee voting 8–1 in favour of maintaining the current rate. UK inflation held steady at 2.2% in August, unchanged from July's annual rate. US equities rose around 1.5% for the week, with US technology nearing its historic highs once again. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 15th September 2024. The major global stock indices staged a sharp recovery, posting weekly gains of between 3% and 6%, effectively reversing the steep losses seen the previous week. Midweek, equity markets initially tumbled following the release of U.S. inflation data, which showed that core inflation (excluding food and energy) edged up by 0.3% in August—slightly above consensus forecasts. Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank (ECB) cut its deposit rate for the second time this year, lowering it by a quarter-point to 3.5%, in line with expectations. US equities surged by over 4% for the week, led by a 6% rally in the tech sector. Looking ahead, all eyes are on the U.S. Federal Reserve's two-day meeting, concluding on Wednesday, where the central bank is widely expected to deliver its first rate cut since early 2020.That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 8th September 2024. U.S. stock indexes posted some of the steepest weekly declines in more than a year, as employment data from the US stoked economic growth concerns and AI champion Nvidia came under scrutiny from the Justice Department. The latest U.S. labour market data confirmed a weakening trend. Early signals of this were evident in the job openings figures, which dropped to around 7.7 million, marking the lowest point this year. The closely watched nonfarm payrolls report echoed this softer trend, showing only 142,000 new jobs in contrast to the anticipated 165,000. Despite these concerning figures, the report wasn't all doom and gloom. US equities fell over 4% for the week and US technology over 6% as the US labour data release increased concerns around economic growth. The price of U.S. crude oil fell nearly 8% for the week to the lowest level in about 14 months, with the commodity trading for around $68 per barrel on Friday afternoon. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 1st September 2024. Global equity markets etched out modest gains during a week which saw further signs of cooling inflation from the US and Europe, along with an eagerly anticipated earnings announcement from one of the world's largest companies.The most closely watched data point was probably the US Labour Department's release of its core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index on Friday morning. Headline annual inflation in the eurozone also decelerated to 2.2% in August from 2.6% in July, the lowest level in three years and a shade above the ECB's 2% target. Higher energy costs a year ago were partly responsible for the decline.In company news, Nvidia published another impressive set of quarterly earnings. Over the week US equities were slightly positive, up around 0.2% whilst US Technology fell almost 1% driven in part by the volatility of Nvidia following their ‘great' but ‘not quite good enough' earnings announcement. In commodities gold futures pushed their record levels higher for the fifth week in a row, and the commodity briefly topped $2,560 per ounce on Friday morning. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 25th August 2024. Global markets demonstrated resilience this week, with the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and Dow Jones all advancing by over 1%. In his speech delivered at the Jackson Hole symposium, Powell signalled a potential shift in monetary policy, stating that "the time has come for policy to adjust." Across the Atlantic, the Eurozone showed signs of economic momentum, with business activity picking up in August after stagnating in July. In equity markets, U.S. stocks closed the week 1.4% higher, mirroring gains in European equities, as Powell's speech heightened expectations of an impending interest rate cut. The increasing anticipation of interest rate cuts contributed to a volatile week for U.S. In the commodities market, U.S. crude oil prices experienced a dip, with the price per barrel dropping to $71.46 on Wednesday—the lowest level in over six months. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this weeks AHR market review for the weeks ending the 16th August 2024.The U.S. stock market saw a rebound, driven by optimistic inflation data and hopes for a potential Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. European equities benefitted from the improved sentiment surrounding U.S. inflation data, although economic concerns continued to persist. In Asia, markets were more mixed. Japan saw a sharp market downturn earlier in the month following a surprise interest rate hike by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), which sent shockwaves across global markets. In commodities, oil prices continued to fluctuate due to geopolitical factors and supply constraints, especially as Russia and Saudi Arabia extended production cuts. In summary, the week ended with market recovery in the U.S. and cautious optimism globally. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com

Welcome to this week's AHR market review, for the week ending 9th August 2024The global stock markets saw a week of heightened volatility, driven by a mix of economic data releases, central bank actions, and sector-specific developments. In the United States, the three major indices — the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite — showed mixed performances, with only slight changes by the end of the week. European markets were similarly unstable. In Asia, the Japanese stock market was notably volatile, with the Nikkei 225 fluctuating throughout the week. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index ended the week slightly lower as concerns over the country's economic growth continued to weigh on investor sentiment. Indian markets also faced challenges during the week. Commodities markets mirrored the unease in equities, with gold prices inching higher as investors sought safe-haven assets, with gold futures trading around $2,470 per ounce by the end of the week. Overall, the week was characterized by cautious trading as investors grappled with mixed economic signals, central bank actions, and sector-specific developments. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 4th August 2024. An eventful week for markets saw a host of central bank rate decisions and volatility towards the back end of the week following unexpected employment data released from the US Labour Department.The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to near a three-year high of 4.3% in July amid a significant slowdown in hiring, heightening fears the labour market was deteriorating and potentially making the economy vulnerable to a recession. Whilst earlier in the week the US Federal Reserve meeting went as expected with rates held steady, the Bank of England cut its key interest rate by a quarter point to 5.00%, its first reduction to borrowing costs since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. Companies representing nearly 40% of the S&P 500's market capitalization reported second-quarter earnings during the week, including four of the Magnificent Seven—Microsoft, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Apple, and Amazon.com. The US Technology index entered correction territory during the week as it has now fallen 10% from it's recent high, down 3.4% for the week. The shifting interest-rate outlook and fresh economic data fuelled a price rally for government bonds, sending the yield of the 10-year U.S. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 28th July 2024. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ experienced their second consecutive weekly decline amid volatile trading, while the Dow Jones bucked the trend, marking its fourth straight weekly gain. In a surprising turn, the U.S. economy expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in the second quarter, driven by robust consumer spending and business investment. The increase in GDP was bolstered by inventory accumulation and heightened government expenditure. The Commerce Department also released data on core personal consumption expenditures (PCE), excluding food and energy, which rose slightly more than expected by 0.2% in June. The continued deflationary trend seems to have solidified market expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. As we progress through the second-quarter earnings season, approximately 41% of S&P 500 companies have reported results, with earnings on track to increase by 9.7% year-on-year, surpassing initial estimates of 9% growth at the end of the first quarter.The most significant positive earnings surprises are emerging from the financials, energy, and healthcare sectors, rather than technology and other growth sectors. US equities fell almost 1% for the week whilst US technology dropped off over 2%. As the rotation in US equities continues, US value rose over 0.5%.  That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 19th July 2024.Stocks saw their worst week since April with major indexes under pressure amid a massive global software glitch that stranded flights, interrupted health care services, and interfered with business around the world.A major factor in the underperformance of growth stocks was a sharp decline in chip stocks on following news that the Biden administration had told allies it was considering severe export curbs if companies such as Tokyo Electron and the Netherlands' ASML Holding continued providing China with access to advanced semiconductor technologyThe Russell 2000, an index of small cap stocks, surged 7.7% over the last two weeks. Perhaps the most notable change last week was the CBOE's Volatility Index which climbed 32% in a week. European stocks followed their US counterpart and ended the week lower amid rising tensions between the US and China. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its key interest rates unchanged at 3.75%, as expected. In the UK, headline inflation held steady at 2% in June, partly due to a meaningful decline in energy costs compared with last year. Japan's stock markets generated negative returns over the week, with the Nikkei 225 falling 2.7%, and the broader TOPIX Index down 1.2%. In the currency markets, the US dollar index rose week over week against a basket of major currencies. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 14th July 2024. The U.S. large-cap value stock index outperformed its growth benchmark counterpart for the week, eroding some of the growth style's wide margin of year-to-date outperformance. A major factor supporting many stocks appeared to be Thursday's release of the US Labor Department's consumer price index (CPI). A driver of European stock performance in recent weeks has been local elections and during the week the second and final round of voting in France's parliamentary elections delivered a hung parliament. US value stocks delivered the strongest returns across US markets for the week posting a return of over 1.5% whilst broad US equities returned just under 1%. European equities ended the week 1.5% higher as investors welcomed lower-than-expected U.S. Yields of government bonds dropped, as investors took Thursday's inflation report as an indication that interest-rate cuts could be coming sooner rather than later. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com. 

 Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 7th July 2024. In a week filled with economic and political activity across the globe, global equity markets pushed higher into new record highs. Two critical pillars of the U.S. economy, the services sector and the labour market, are exhibiting signs of moderation. The U.S. unemployment rate edged up from 4% to 4.1%, surpassing the Federal Reserve's estimate of 4% for the year. In the UK, Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party won a resounding victory in the UK's general election, ending 14-years of turbulent Conservative rule. US Technology and broad US equities pushed their record levels higher again, posting weekly total returns of 3.5% and 2.0%, respectively. In commodities oil prices have continued their upward trajectory, marking the fourth consecutive week of gains and reaching their highest levels in over two months. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

Welcome to this week's AHR market review for the week ending 30th June 2024. Global equity markets were mixed in a week that saw the end of June and the end of the first half of the year. The first half of the year witnessed continued enthusiasm for artificial intelligence, propelling mega-cap technology names to deliver exceptional gains. The technology and communication services sectors were at the forefront of performance, posting first-half returns exceeding 25%. In economic news, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, decelerated to 2.6% year-on-year in May, marking its lowest annual rate in over three years. US equities were mixed over the week, remaining near record highs. Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the forthcoming monthly US labour market report, set to be released this Friday. As we approach earnings season, which kicks off in mid-July with major banks reporting their second-quarter results, expectations remain buoyant. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review..Over the week global stock indexes rebounded from a modest setback the previous week, as US equity markets eclipsed record highs set last month.The U.S. economy saw a substantial boost in May, adding 272,000 jobs, far exceeding the projected 180,000 gain. Earlier in the week, the Bank of Canada became the first central bank among the G7 nations to cut interest rates in this cycle, reducing its policy rate from 5% to 4.75%. US equities rose over 1%, whilst US technology rose 2.4% for the week as investors digested softening US economic data. In commodities, the price of U.S. crude oil fell over 2% for the week to $75 per barrel, its lowest level in four months, after oil-producing countries announced plans for a more gradual phase-out of production cuts. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.The major U.S. stock indexes all declined snapping a string of five consecutive weekly gains that had lifted the indexes to record highs.US inflation held steady in April, a troubling indicator for the Federal Reserve, suggesting that the persistent rate of price increases may endure longer than anticipated and raising doubts about the timeline for potential interest rate cuts.The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index saw a 0.3% rise last month, mirroring the unchanged gain in March, according to the Commerce Department's Friday report. The US economy's growth in the first quarter was revised downwards, showing less robustness than initially estimated. Meanwhile, headline inflation in the eurozone increased for the first time in five months, with the year-over-year rise in consumer prices ticking up to 2.6% in May from 2.4% in the preceding two months, surpassing a consensus estimate of 2.5%. ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane hinted at a potential reduction in borrowing costs at the forthcoming June 6 meeting. On the global stage, the International Monetary Fund upgraded its forecast for China's economic growth over the next two years yet cautioned that consumer-focused reforms are necessary to sustain high-quality growthUS equities fell 0.5% over the week whilst US technology fell over 1%, in part due to a disappointing earnings announcement from cloud software provider, Salesforce. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Equity markets were divergent over the week, as earnings announcements from one of the world's largest chipmaker's masked further concerns around the future path for interest rates in the US.One of the main factors behind the market's recent divergence has been the impressive performance of artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia. As we near the end of this year's first-quarter earnings season, S&P 500 companies are expected to report solid earnings growth of 10%-11% for the year, a big leap from last year's mere 1% growth rate. Over in the UK, inflation data revealed a slower-than-expected drop in consumer prices Value areas of the US equity market fell over 2% during the week, though thanks in large to a rally in Nvidia, the broad US market remained flat for the week whilst US technology rose 1.4%. The price of oil fell 2.3% for the week to its lowest level in more than three months as a report showed an increase in U.S. crude inventories.That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Equity markets recorded a fourth straight week of gains and reached record highs, following the release of inflation data from the US that has investors once again betting that interest rate cuts may not be too far away.The catalyst for the market moves over the week appeared to be the release of US inflation data in the form of the consumer price index (CPI). Elsewhere in economic developments that supported this week's narrative, US retail sales plateaued unexpectedly in April, marking a stark contrast to the 0.6% increase seen in the preceding month. Dealing with a very different economic dynamic, China has announced additional stimulus measures to rejuvenate its faltering property sector. Looking at equity returns, US equities closed the week up 1.5% whilst US technology added over 2% for the week demonstrating greater sensitivity to the potential of rate cuts in the US as soon as September. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Equity markets rose for the third week in a row as quarter one earnings season draws to close and US markets once again get close to all-time highs.With 90% of S&P 500 companies now having disclosed their earnings for the first quarter, the results have surpassed analyst predictions by a notable 8.5%, marking the most significant positive surprise since the third quarter of 2021. Furthermore, profitability has seen an uptick after facing pressures throughout 2022 and part of 2023, largely due to a moderation in input-cost inflation. Looking at monetary policy, the Bank of England (BoE) opted to maintain its base rate at 5.25%, following a 7-2 majority decision by its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its recent meeting.Over the week the US equities added around 2% and US technology rose over 1%. Looking to the week ahead, all eyes will be on the US CPI release on Wednesday. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.In a week filled with US economic data, Fed rate decisions and corporate earnings announcements, global equity and bond markets edged higher.The U.S. Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on Wednesday and signalled it is still leaning towards eventual reductions in borrowing costs but put a red flag on recent disappointing inflation readings that could make those rate cuts a while in coming.Key US employment data released during the week saw the U.S. economy add 175,000 jobs in April, notably below consensus estimates of 240,000 new payrolls.Profits at some of the biggest technology companies continued to improve as earnings season neared an end.Whilst the US fed rate announcement went largely as expected, the softer US labour data was received positively by markets and saw US equities record a 0.5% return for the week, with US technology adding 1.4%. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Equity markets staged a recovery over the week following the recent slump.In the U.S., approximately a third of S&P 500 companies, accounting for 40% of the index's market cap, have reported their earnings for the first quarter.Economic data from the U.S. painted a less rosy picture. The Commerce Department's preliminary estimate indicated that the economy grew at a meagre annualised rate of 1.6% in the first quarter, significantly trailing the anticipated 2.5%.The Commerce Department also highlighted that core personal consumption expenditures (PCE) inflation—which strips out volatile food and energy prices—climbed at an annualised 3.7% in the first quarter, outpacing expectations and exceeding the Federal Reserve's 2% target for sustainable inflation.U.S. equities ended the week up by 2.7%, buoyed by strong earnings, with technology stocks particularly strong, rallying by 4.2%.In fixed income markets, global yields increased over the week, reacting to the higher-than-anticipated U.S. inflation figures. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Stock markets suffered their third straight week of losses amid concerns about Middle East tensions and the likelihood of U.S. interest rates staying higher for longer. In economic news, robust figures from the U.S. Commerce Department indicated that retail sales in March surged by 0.7%, significantly exceeding the expected 0.3%, and up from a revised 0.9% increase in February. In the UK, consumer price inflation dropped to 3.2% in March, the lowest in two and a half years but slightly less than analysts had anticipated. China reported a better-than-expected 5.3% economic growth for the first quarter of 2024, bolstered by a 6.1% increase in industrial output.U.S. stock indices fell by 3% over the week, with technology stocks particularly affected, dropping by 5.5% as investors re-adjusted their rate expectations.Yields of U.S. government bonds rose for the third week in a row as investors continued to rein in their expectations for near-term interest-rate cuts.Oil prices experienced volatility, with U.S. crude briefly topping $85 per barrel due to the tensions between Israel and Iran. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.

On this week's AHR Market review.Equity markets fell over the week following hotter than expected US CPI data and heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran's attempted missile strikes on Israel.Just one month ago markets had placed a high probability that the US Federal Reserve would cut its interest rates at it's upcoming June and July meetings. Later in the week stocks pulled back sharply, in the wake of reports that Iran was preparing to directly attack facilities on Israeli soil for the first time. US equity markets fell 1.6% over the week, with small and midcap stocks fairing worse than mega-cap growth names. In the wake of Wednesday's inflation report, the yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond rose to the highest level in five months, as it climbed as high as 4.59% at one point. That's all for this week's AHR Weekly Podcast. Thank you for listening and for further investment insights head over to ahrprivatewealth.com.