Bassanese Bites-Breather

May 26, 2024--Global markets-week in review
After four consecutive weekly gains, global equities took a breather last week with the S&P 500 inching ahead only 0.03%. Firm US service sector data and "high for longer" Fed rhetoric saw traders take profits in both the bond and equity markets after recent gains.

Probably the main highlight in a data-light week was the strength in the US services sector PMI. The S&P US service sector index blew past market expectations, rising to 54.4 from 51.1. Also concerning was a lift in input costs. The result ran counter to a run of recent softer reports for employment growth and retail sales. Overall, the US economy remains firm, though whether this necessarily implies inflation will prove stubbornly firm remains to be seen.

Deloitte Releases 2025 Financial Services Industry Predictions Report

April 24, 2025-Disruptive forces including evolving market dynamics and technology advancement may reshape banking and capital markets, investment management, insurance, and commercial real estate by 2030

Rising Global Debt Requires Countries to Put their Fiscal House in Order

April 23, 2025--Amid heightened uncertainty, policymakers will need to deal with complex trade-offs between debt, slower growth, and new spending pressures
Major policy shifts underway have heightened global uncertainty. The series of recent tariff announcements by the United States, and countermeasures by other countries have increased financial market volatility, weakened growth prospects, and increased risks.

ETFGI reports record Q1 net inflows of US$463.51 billion into the global ETFs industry

April 22, 2025-ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm renowned for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, events, and ETF TV on global ETF industry trends, reports record Q1 net inflows of US$463.51 billion into the global ETFs, according to ETFGI's March 2025 Global ETFs and ETPs industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service.

The Global Economy Enters a New Era

April 22, 2025-Amid trade tensions and high policy uncertainty, the path forward will be determined by how challenges are confronted and opportunities embraced
The global economic system under which most countries have operated for the last 80 years is being reset, ushering the world into a new era. Existing rules are challenged while new ones are yet to emerge.

IMF World Economic Outlook-A Critical Juncture amid Policy Shifts

April 22, 2025-Global growth is expected to decline and downside risks to intensify as major policy shifts unfold
After enduring a prolonged and unprecedented series of shocks, the global economy appeared to have stabilized, with steady yet underwhelming growth rates. However, the landscape has changed as governments around the world reorder policy priorities and uncertainties have climbed to new highs. Forecasts for global growth have been revised markedly down compared with the January 2025 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update, reflecting effective tariff rates to levels not seen in a century and a highly unpredictable environment.

IMF-Global Financial Stability Report-Enhancing Resilience amid Uncertainty

April 22, 2025-Global financial stability risks have increased significantly, driven by tighter global financial conditions and heightened trade and geopolitical uncertainty.  Against the heightened volatility of asset prices, Chapter 1 assesses that global financial stability risks have increased significantly.

Fear and Hope: Bybit x Santiment Social Sentiment Report on OM Collapse and XPR ETF

April 18, 2025-Bybit, the world's second-argest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has released a comprehensive social sentiment analysis report in collaboration with crypto market intelligence platform Santiment, uncovering critical insights into two contrasting narratives currently shaping the crypto landscape: the unprecedented collapse of MANTRA's OM token and growing optimism surrounding potential XRP ETF approvals.

Global trade faces setback amid rising tariffs

April 16, 2025-The WTO Secretariat's latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, issued today (16 April), comes at a time of growing uncertainty for the global economy- and with it, a sharp deterioration in the prospects for world trade.
Following a strong performance in 2024, global trade is now facing headwinds from a surge in tariffs and rising trade policy uncertainty.

How Rising Geopolitical Risks Weigh on Asset Prices

April 14, 2025--Heightened tensions can hurt stock markets, raise government borrowing costs, and pose risks to financial stability
Global geopolitical risks remain elevated, raising concerns about their potential impact on economic and financial stability.