Stock markets ended a tumultuous week with a decline on Friday, dragged down by disappointing earnings from major US banks, escalating geopolitical tensions, and persistent worries about the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy direction.
In the coming week, investors will be keenly focused on new economic reports, such as retail sales and industrial production, to gather more insights that might influence the Federal Reserve’s policy decisions.
The rise of the global South, the strengthening of platforms such as BRICS, and the record-high price of Gold, are manifestations of some of the longer-term changes in the global financial system. According to Ray Dalio, we are in a changing world order, where understanding some of these tectonic shifts is critical for our investment decisions.
While the US maintains a technological, economic and political dominance of the global world order, we think there is a steady rise of the global South. Favourable demographics, increase in intra-regional trade and economic growth momentum in countries such as India, Indonesia, Korea and Saudi Arabia, following the two decades of economic outperformance of China, are leading to a slight shift in the global economic center of gravity. Furthermore, we think the use of economic sanctions as a political tool by the US is accelerating this shift. 28% of the world economy is currently under US sanctions.
These changes support the case for a structural bull run in gold. The policy implication for countries like Pakistan is to strengthen regional trade ties. We think the recent focus on trade with Central Asia and the Middle East, along the CPEC trade route would be a beneficial strategy. Diversification of the foreign exchange reserves would also help hedge against any volatility in the US dollar. We think Africa will emerge as the key swing market over the next twenty years and will increasingly become the next focus area for developing trade routes and consumer markets.
For more details on our views, please read the attached report written by Mohsin Ali and S.M. Abbas from KTrade team.
This week in the markets, we’ve seen a whirlwind of activity that’s sure to catch the attention of traders and investors alike. From a significant drop in the Dow to unexpected movements in the tech sector, and even a surge in oil prices amidst Middle East tensions, the landscape is brimming with developments that could have long-lasting impacts. Not to mention, the forex markets are reacting to key comments from the US Federal Reserve, signaling potentially pivotal shifts.
Dive into our latest roundup to get the full scoop on these pivotal market movements and what they could mean for your portfolio!
As we embark upon a new quarter in 2024, all eyes are on the upcoming releases of the week. Among the key events on the radar are the Nonfarm Payrolls report from the United States, European CPI figures, and the ISM Manufacturing PMI.
With expectations running high and uncertainties lingering, the week promises to be a pivotal one for financial markets worldwide.
This week, we have some exciting updates to share with you. The US stock market has hit new records, while many traders felt the aftermath of the Reddit IPO. A piece of good news for market participants is gold reaching a new record high, but the decline in the EUR/USD carries an uncertain reputation. Learn more about these developments in our weekly recap.
S&P 500’s latest record closes out best first quarter since 2019
In the fast-paced world of finance, collaboration is the key to unlocking new possibilities and driving innovation. The recent partnership between HBL (Habib Bank Limited), one of Pakistan’s leading banks, and KTrade, a pioneering digital trading platform, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of seamless trade deposits and payment experiences.
Traditionally, the process of depositing funds for trading purposes has been plagued by delays, inefficiencies, and manual interventions. However, with the integration of HBL’s robust banking infrastructure and KTrade’s cutting-edge trading platform, traders now have access to seamless trade deposits.
This week has been bustling with significant financial market movements, capturing the attention of investors worldwide.
From record-breaking performances on Wall Street to the highly anticipated public debut of Reddit, there’s no shortage of pivotal moments. We also witnessed gold prices soaring to new heights, indicating a shift towards safe-haven assets amid ongoing economic uncertainties. Additionally, the forex markets saw notable fluctuations, particularly with the GBP/USD pair, as it rebounded from a recent dip.
The rollercoaster week on Wall Street ended with a thud as chip stocks took a nosedive and mixed jobs data painted a confusing picture of the economy. Investors grappled with the implications – could rising interest rates derail the recent rally?
This week, all eyes turn to inflation reports, the key puzzle piece that could determine the Fed’s next move and the fate of the markets.
Investing can seem like an inaccessible for Shariah compliant investors, but the realm of Islamic finance has come quite far. Recently launched, the Ijarah Sukuk Government Securities offer investors a Shariah-compliant avenue for investment that not only adheres to ethical principles but also presents promising financial prospects.
At KTrade Securities, we recognize the immense potential of Ijarah Sukuk and advocate for their inclusion in your investment portfolio. Let’s delve into the intricacies of Ijarah Sukuk and explore why partnering with KTrade Securities for your investment needs can be a prudent decision.
Last week, markets were a bit like a see-saw, with small ups and downs as everyone waited for important economic news. On Thursday, we got some of that news: inflation data (Core CPI) met expectations, while consumer sentiment took a surprise dip and manufacturing activity slowed a bit. This hints that maybe the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in June, which got investors excited!
This excitement caused a late-week rally, boosting major indexes and even helping the Nasdaq Composite set a new record.
