UK consumer confidence rose to the highest level since November 2021
US labour data showed 272,000 jobs added in May, surpassing forecasts.
Mexico's markets declined after Claudia Sheinbaum's election win, raising concerns about potential constitutional reforms.
June was mixed for global equity markets. European equities declined due to political noise, with only technology and healthcare sectors posting gains. The UK market fell despite positive economic data. Asian markets, led by Taiwan and China, performed well, and emerging markets were positive. Fixed income markets also saw gains, particularly in global government bonds.
European equity markets declined in June with political noise making the headlines. All sectors posted negative returns, expect technology, which rose significantly, and health care. Real estate proved to be the weakest.
The far-right gained seats in the European Parliament, prompting President Macron to call a snap election in France, leading to market volatility.
The European Central Bank (ECB) began its easing cycle, cutting rates from 4% to 3.75% and suggesting future cuts will be gradual. The ECB also revised its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) forecast up from 0.6% to 0.9%.
The UK equity market declined in June despite positive economic data, as interest rates were kept on hold with the general election outcome due in July.
Inflation fell to 2.0% in May, meeting its target for the first time since July 2021, driven by a slowdown in food and non-alcoholic beverages and furniture prices.
The Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey welcomed the news that inflation had returned to its 2.0% target rate, but said they needed to be sure that inflation will stay low before cutting interest rates.
June saw positive returns across major US indices (S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones), all hitting highs, buoyed by enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Sector performance varied, with technology leading gains while utilities and materials lagged.
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) maintained rates at 5.50%, signalling a single rate cut by year-end, surprising traders expecting more. This stance impacted President Biden’s economic management focus for re-election.
US labour data showed 272,000 jobs added in May, surpassing forecasts, but unemployment rose to 4.0%, slightly above expectations and previous figures.
Asia Pacific equity markets had a positive month, led by Taiwan and India, followed by Korea and Australia.
Korea's market saw gains driven by Samsung Electronics' potential chip supply deal with Nvidia. The Bank of Korea kept its base rate at 3.5%, monitoring inflation which remains above the 2% target despite gradual easing.
Japan's IT and financial sectors strengthened, supported by a weaker yen benefiting exporters, but also increasing import costs and inflation pressures. The Bank of Japan maintained its policy rate at 0.0-0.1%, as expected by markets.
Emerging equity markets saw gains in Asian and Emerging European markets but declines in Latin America and the Middle East. Taiwan and China performed well.
Latin American markets fell, with gains in Chile, Peru, and Colombia offset by losses in Brazil.
In Mexico, markets dipped as Banco de México kept rates steady at 11%, hinting at possible future cuts dependent on US policy.
In India, markets progressed amid volatility, led by industrial sectors. Despite volatility from elections, strong PMI readings suggest economic momentum and a positive outlook.
Global government bond markets rallied in June as several central banks, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada, cut interest rates. Inflation data from the US and UK supported expectations of further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.
Corporate bond markets also had a positive month overall, despite widening spreads. Sterling-denominated investment grade bonds led followed by euro and then dollar bonds. Spreads widened slightly across these markets.
In the high yield corporate bond market, dollar bonds returned 0.97%, while European currency bonds (€/£) returned 0.59%. Spreads widened marginally for both dollar and European currency bonds during the month.
The big headlines Q2
In this regular piece, we summarise the key headlines from the quarter that have impacted investment performance. Feel free to download and share it directly with your clients or read our interpretation for further commentary.
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US Equities monthly update – June 2024
US equity markets clawed back all of April’s losses and continued to reach new record highs, before giving up some of those gains in the final days of the month. Reassuring comments from the Fed at the beginning of the month had set markets on their way, while NVIDIA remained one of the biggest catalysts at the stock level.
The value of investments and any income will fluctuate (this may partly be the result of exchange rate fluctuations) and investors may not get back the full amount invested.
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This is marketing material and not financial advice. It is not intended as a recommendation to buy or sell any particular asset class, security or strategy. Regulatory requirements that require impartiality of investment/investment strategy recommendations are therefore not applicable nor are any prohibitions to trade before publication.
EMEA 3686938/2024
