Quarterly Outlook
Equity outlook: The high cost of global fragmentation for US portfolios
Charu Chanana
Chief Investment Strategist
Summary: Fed officials, particularly Bullard (non-voter), had a hawkish bent in their commentaries as markets awaited further talks between Biden and McCarthy on the debt ceiling. However, no agreement was reached but talks remained positive. Impending liquidity drainage risks however spells caution, and PMIs in US, UK and Europe in focus today amid deteriorating economic conditions. Treasury yields continued to surge higher and dollar was firm as JPY losses deepened. Metals were weaker led by iron ore on demand concerns from China’s construction sector.