The first half of 2023 has been an unexpected rollercoaster ride for the global financial markets. After a tumultuous 2022, marked by significant losses across asset classes, inflation spikes, and rapid rate hikes, investors entered the new year with a cautious outlook. However, the markets have defied expectations, showcasing resilience and delivering impressive returns in the face of challenges.
In this market review, we explore:
Markets Defy Expectations in H1 2023
Despite pessimistic forecasts, the equity markets have shown remarkable strength in H1 2023. NASDAQ and the technology sector have led the rally for the year. US Stocks outperformed global stocks with S&P 500 surging 16.4% while MSCI World rising by 14.1%. A notable outlier was China with the benchmark index giving up all of its returns as expectations of a post reopening surge were dwarfed with persistent...