Weekly Market View from Realm Investment Management – w/e 22nd April 2022.
Equity markets were lower again last week. The war in Ukraine, inflation concerns, and the prospect of slowing economic growth in China due to new Covid-19 lockdowns weighed heavily on investor sentiment.
In the UK, economic reports were not encouraging. Data from the Office for National Statistics showed that Retail sales volumes fell by a worse-than-expected 1.4% in the month to March and PMI data indicated slowing economic growth during April. Stering fell and today (Monday) the Pound has fallen to its lowest level versus the US dollar in nineteen months.
US Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, suggested a 0.5% increase in interest rates could be “on the table” in May, saying it was appropriate “to be moving a little more quickly” but he played down fears that the speed of rises will push the economy into recession noting the current strength in the jobs market.
In Europe, Christine Lagarde, President of the ECB, confirmed that the European Central Bank’s asset purchase program will finish in the third quarter and that economic data would determine interest rate moves.
The Big Picture 22nd April 2022
Market Sentiment 22nd April 2022
U.S. Risk Barometer 22nd April 2022
Europe Risk Barometer 22nd April 2022
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