Inspiration375
The second-quarter (Q2) earnings season is in full swing this week, with major US banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs releasing their results. As the earnings season begins, uncertainty is mounting in the Middle East and the Strait of Hormuz, while macroeconomic data is also being released on both sides of the Atlantic.
The markets are starting the week on a tense note. In addition to the geopolitical situation, an important topic this week will be the preliminary European inflation numbers for June.
It seems that the ongoing World Cup in North America could boost the share price of Carlsberg, which, like other consumer staples, has underperformed in recent months. Meanwhile, negotiations have begun on a peace deal between the US and Iran, amid renewed threats to close the Strait of Hormuz should Israel not cease its military activities against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This creates uncertainty regarding inflation and interest rates. We argue that there is still a risk of an increase in the coming year.
This week's case study focuses on Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), which is set to release its mid-year report next week. The company recently surprised the market with better-than-expected operating results. The challenge for H&M is to improve its operating margin despite low revenue growth. The letter of intent for peace between the US and Iran, which is subject to 60 days of further negotiations, has driven up the world's stock markets again, particularly tech stocks.
This week's case concerns cocoa, where there is potential for future prices to rise if the decline in inventories predicted by estimates is realised. These estimates are based on growing concerns about adverse weather conditions and production disruptions in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. From a broader view of the stock market, the strong US non-farm payroll figures released on Friday 5 June were followed by a sharp decline in US indices, particularly tech-related stocks.
Education5
Exchange-traded products are a broad category that allow for leveraged investments in assets that might otherwise be inaccessible to private investors
Mini Futures offer investors the opportunity to participate disproportionately - with a leverage effect - in the performance of an underlying with a small capital investment. Long Mini Futures can be used to speculate on rising prices, while short mini futures can be used to speculate on falling prices. The products have an unlimited term, provided the product is not terminated by reaching the stop-loss level (or stop-loss barrier).
Unlimited Turbos, also called Open-End Knock-out Warrants, allow investors to participate disproportionately in the performance of an underlying. The leverage effect results from the fact that less capital has to be invested than for an investment in the respective underlying. Investors can speculate on a rising or falling underlying with a small capital investment. These products can be used to speculate on various asset classes such as shares, indices, commodities, precious metals, interest rate instruments or currency pairs.
With Bull & Bear certificates, investors can participate in the ups and downs of markets worldwide. The certificates offer investors the option of putting their market opinion into action according to their own appetite for risk. Bull & Bear certificates allow investors to participate with leverage in the performance of equities, indices, currencies, or commodities.
From sustainable investment solutions to community involvement and environmental sustainability: corporate responsibility has a long tradition at Vontobel. It is perceived in all its complexity - and regularly receives awards.