Between France’s increasing yields and the UK’s colossal debt-to-GDP ratio, Europe is facing difficulties financing itself. Meanwhile, SNB head bows out with a last rate cut and China unveils its massive stimulus plan. Each week, the Syz investment team takes you through the last seven days in seven charts.

Despite mixed economic data, bonds remained flat over the week, with emerging market bonds outperforming, driven by Chinese stimulus measures.

The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 Index moved to record highs, as investors appeared to celebrate new stimulus measures in China. Chemicals and materials stocks were particularly strong. Copper prices also increased. Tech stocks outperformed as well, helped by reports of a possible takeover of Intel and news that NVIDIA’s CEO had ceased sales of his own shares in the company. In addition, chipmaker Micron Technology surged and seemed to provide a general tailwind for the sector following its upbeat outlook for AI demand. Some benign inflation data helped spur an early rally Friday; the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the core (less food and energy) personal consumer expenditures (PCE) price index, rose only 0.1% in August, a tick below expectations.

Flash note

As the Fed pivot starts with a 50-basis-point slash, the bond market expects more to come, and gold should benefit. Meanwhile, the risk of a second inflationary wave isn’t dismissed, and the Nasdaq 100 is as highly concentrated as ever. Each week, the Syz investment team takes you through the last seven days in seven charts.

Last week, the Federal Reserve kicked off its rate-cut cycle with a bold 50 bps reduction, signaling that monetary policy had grown too restrictive given the progress on inflation and the normalization of the job market.

US large-cap indexes moved to record highs as investors celebrated the kick-off to what many expect to be a prolonged Fed rate-cutting cycle. The rally was also relatively broad, with the smaller-cap indexes outperforming (+9% on the week for the Russell 2000 index), although they remained below previous peaks. The initial reaction to the Fed’s jumbo rate cut was relatively muted. Indeed, investors’ celebration of the news seemed to begin on Thursday morning, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 Index, and Nasdaq Composite all surging to new highs. The week’s economic data arguably had an upbeat overall tone, leading critics of the Fed’s decision to argue that policymakers had moved too decisively.

Here's a summary of the Federal Reserve’s decision: 1. Interest rates cut by 50 bps for first time since 2020 2. Rate cuts 2 more 25 basis point in 2024 3. Fed governor Miki Bowman dissented in favour of a smaller 25 bps cut. It's the first dissent by a "governor" since 2005 4. Gained "greater confidence" that inflation is moving to 2% 5. Have an evolving outlook as "carefully assess incoming data" 6. Rate cuts of 100 bps in 2025 and 50 bps of cuts in 2026

ECB lowers rates again as inflation persists, U.S. banks grapple with $512.9 billion in unrealized losses, and is now the time to buy a Rolex? Each week, the Syz investment team takes you through the last seven days in seven charts.

This week, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve as they prepare to potentially initiate their first rate cut after a prolonged period of holding rates at peak levels. With a near 50/50 split in market expectations for either a 25 or 50 bps cut, this decision could set the tone for the economic outlook moving forward.