Fast food for thought

Insights and research on global events shaping the markets

The Fed cuts rates, meanwhile Europe teeters on the brink of recession, China ramps up stimulus, and U.S. debt surges. Developed market equities surge amid global challenges, while fixed income rallies on easing rate expectations. Each quarter, the Syz investment team takes you through the last 3 months in 10 charts.

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08/10/2024

Softening U.S. labour market signals potential rate cuts Weakening U.S. labour market data hints at potential rate cuts, as inflation moves below the 3-4% range it held for the past year, and volatility resurfaces. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last month in 10 charts.

Populism is on the rise, the first Presidential debate sparked renewed concerns over Biden's mental acuity and both the S&P500 and the Nasdaq100 reach new all-time highs. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last month in ten charts.

Economic shift: US slows, Europe rises, Asia mixed As mid-2024 nears, the US economy shows signs of moderation, Europe gradually recovers, and Asia sees mixed performance with strong Chinese exports and a stabilising outlook in Japan despite a weak yen. Nvidia continues to live up to the hype, GameStop trading mania is back and in a surprising move, the U.S. SEC approved eight applications for spot Ethereum ETFs. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last month in ten charts.

April's US economic landscape marked by macro challenges April saw a challenging macroeconomic environment in the US, with the market delaying interest rate cuts once again, equities experiencing their first decline since October 2023, and the earnings season beginning on an uneven note. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last month in ten charts.

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07/05/2024

The U.S. stock market had a strong start to 2024, with the S&P 500 experiencing its best beginning since 2019, rising by 10.2%. This bullish momentum, underscored by record lows in volatility, reflects a surge in investor optimism. The tech and healthcare sectors continued to perform, while adjustments in Fed rate cut expectations and a strong dollar added to the market's complexity. Each quarter, the Syz investment team takes you through the last 3 months in 10 charts.

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04/04/2024

Apple stock has a worm, while Asian stocks soar, and commodities suffer from geopolitical uncertainty. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last 31 days in 10 charts.

• Mo'vember marks best month for US bonds in 40 years as investors anticipate rate cuts in 2024 • Global bond and stock markets added over $11 trillion in capitalization in November. That is the second biggest monthly gain in history (Nov 2020 added $12.5 trillion). • Gold and digital (aka Bitcoin) surged while dollar dumped.

Strong US Economy proves resilient in face of tightening financial conditions. In October, global stocks declined due to concerns about rising interest rates and the Israel-Hamas conflict, while the US economy remained strong. The US dollar strengthened for the third consecutive month, reaching its highest monthly close since November 2022. Gold continued to be a top choice for hedging against economic uncertainties, and Bitcoin experienced its best month since January 2023, with its price surpassing $35,000. Each month, the Syz investment team takes you through the last month in ten charts.

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