Post by Quilter Cheviot

🌍 Markets are moving higher, supported by strong Q1 earnings and AI momentum.   Global equities pushed higher over the week as attention returned to earnings and the strength of the AI theme. While tensions in the Middle East remain a key risk - highlighted by disruption to the Strait of Hormuz and rising oil prices - markets appear to be taking developments in stride, with the conflict largely seen as contained for now.   Encouragingly, US earnings have been particularly robust, with a high proportion of companies beating expectations. Within the technology sector, results from several of the largest names point to continued strength in AI and cloud demand, reinforcing the idea that the AI trade remains intact. Meanwhile, bond markets have responded to higher inflation risks and a more hawkish tone from central banks, keeping gilt yields elevated.   In this week’s Weekly Comment, host Investment Manager Andrew Jones is joined by Richard Carter, CFA, Head of Fixed Interest Research, and Ben Barringer CFA, Head of Technology, to explore how these themes are shaping global markets and whether concerns about AI displacing jobs are overstated, or simply part of a longer-term process of human evolution.   🎧 Read and listen to the Weekly Comment here: https://lnkd.in/gXFgfTJh   #QCWeeklyComment . . . Capital at risk.