Opinion – Thursday 23 April 2026

U.S. Indexes were broadly firmer as risk sentiment improved on the extension of the US/Iran ceasefire, although underlying uncertainty kept oil prices supported. Equities were bid, while crude prices also moved higher, highlighting the conflicting forces of easing...

Opinion – Wednesday 22 April 2026

U.S. Indexes were lower while Oil prices remained supported amid ongoing uncertainty around US/Iran talks, with both assets paring earlier extremes before renewed late-session volatility. Crude initially eased on reports the US may be willing to lift its blockade but...

Opinion – Tuesday 21 April 2026

U.S. Indexes were mixed on Monday as renewed geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment, after Iran re-closed the Strait of Hormuz. The move pushed oil prices higher at the reopen, while Equity and Treasury Futures sold off, although these moves pared through the...

Opinion – Monday 20 April 2026

U.S. Indexes rallied to fresh record highs while oil prices plunged after Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all commercial traffic. Brent fell below USD 90/bbl, easing supply concerns and driving a broad risk-on move across markets. Despite the...

Opinion – Thursday 16 April 2026

It was a risk-on trade on Wednesday with the S&P 500 going on to print a fresh record high, with markets completely unwinding the downside seen since the start of the US/Iran war. Optimism remains around an end to the war with US President Trump reiterating...

Opinion – Wednesday 15 April 2026

Risk-on trade was seen across markets on Tuesday amid greater optimism regarding US/Iran talks, as TASS said the two countries have shown readiness for further negotiations, after President Trump told the New York Post that talks with Iran could be happening over the...

Opinion – Tuesday 14 April 2026

Markets returned from the weekend in escalation mode after the US and Iran failed to reach an agreement, with Equity Futures lower, oil surging, and Treasuries under pressure. However, sentiment improved throughout the session on reports that talks remain ongoing and...

Opinion – Monday 13 April 2026

U.S. Indexes closed the final session of the week mixed, but rangebound, as the NASDAQ 100 edged out slight gains while the S&P closed lower by 0.2%. Sectors were predominantly in the red, with only Tech, Materials, and Discretionary in the green, while Consumer...

Opinion – Thursday 9 April 2026

U.S. Indexes surged and oil prices tumbled after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, alongside Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, easing immediate supply concerns. The sharp decline in crude drove a broad cross-asset reaction, with equities rallying, the...

Opinion – Wednesday 8 April 2026

U.S. Indexes were choppy amid broader risk-off sentiment for the majority of the session as participants await US President Trump’s 20:00EDT Iran deadline, as his punchy rhetoric continued as he noted “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be...

Opinion – Tuesday 7 April 2026

U.S. Indexes returned from the Easter weekend in positive territory, while yields rose and oil firmed. Markets had much to digest after Friday’s stronger-than-expected Non-Farm Payrolls report, which helped ease recent labour market concerns. Focus remained on...

Opinion – Thursday 2 April 2026

U.S. Indexes and most sectors ended the day in the green amid broader risk-on trade as participants seemingly took sentiment regarding constructive remarks from the US on the conclusion of the Iranian war, although Iranian officials pushed back on this at every...

Opinion – Wednesday 1 April 2026

U.S. Indexes rallied at Quarter-end as markets welcomed improved prospects for an end to the Middle East conflict. Reports overnight said Trump told aides he was willing to end the war without reopening Hormuz, while later reports said the administration could not...

Opinion – Tuesday 31 March 2026

Monday was another risk-off session, with equity futures paring overnight and morning gains. Equities appeared to play catch-up to the move higher in crude, with WTI and Brent both firmer throughout the session, as WTI settled above USD 100/bbl. The key geopolitical...