Author: Fiona Craig

September has historically been a challenging month for U.S. equities, and Yardeni Research cautioned that this year could bring renewed volatility, even as broader markets remain resilient. The firm noted that the S&P 500 may have already reached a recent high of 6,501.86 in August. Despite Nvidia posting strong results, neither its shares nor the…

HSBC sees signs of a turning point for the luxury sector following four challenging quarters, with sales expected to improve in the second half of 2025 and stronger growth returning in 2026. The bank notes particular momentum in the soft luxury segment, where brands have struggled with pricing and creative missteps. “After four quarters of…

Evercore ISI has raised its forecast for the S&P 500, projecting the index will climb to 7,750 by the end of 2026. The firm credited the accelerating influence of artificial intelligence, which it expects to lift corporate earnings and valuations in a way reminiscent of the late-1990s internet-driven rally. Analysts noted that the current market…

Gold prices could surge toward $5,000 an ounce if investor confidence in U.S. institutions falters and undermines the Federal Reserve’s credibility, Goldman Sachs warned, reinforcing its stance that the metal remains the firm’s “highest-conviction long recommendation.” The bank’s baseline forecast anticipates gold reaching $3,700 by the end of 2025 and $4,000 by mid-2026, supported by…

Bank of America cautioned that recent U.S. policy changes could raise the risk of stagflation, even as global growth remains stable. In a client note, BofA stated: “We remain constructive on US growth, but higher tariffs and immigration restrictions are a recipe for mild stagflation.” The bank projects U.S. economic growth of 1.7% in 2025–26,…

U.S. equities are poised to resume their upward trend, underpinned by a favorable outlook for both economic growth and corporate earnings, according to Steve Chiavarone, deputy chief investment officer at Federated Hermes. “If you cut away the noise and volatility, I’m not going to bet against the US market in an environment where earnings are…

Hedge funds offloaded global equities for the second month in a row this August, with short positions outweighing long purchases at a ratio of 1.2 to 1, according to data from Goldman Sachs’ prime brokerage desk. The selling pressure grew stronger as the month drew to a close. Global equities were net sold in four…

Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) upcoming iPhone 17 lineup may represent more than just an annual refresh, with Evercore ISI suggesting it could mark the beginning of a longer-term pivot in the company’s flagship product strategy. At its September 9 “awe dropping” event, Apple is expected to introduce four models: the Base, Pro, Pro Max, and an all-new…

U.S. firms posted stronger-than-expected results in Q2, though growth remained concentrated in a handful of sectors, Barclays reported. The bank noted earnings climbed 10.6% year-on-year, with sales up 6.1%. A larger-than-usual share of companies exceeded analyst expectations, but misses were penalized heavily, with Barclays observing that “the reaction to misses was among the most extreme…

According to Goldman Sachs, trend-following funds, often referred to as CTAs, added $12.6 billion in U.S. equities during August, bringing their exposure to the highest historical level. The bank’s market flow analysts highlight that these investors are now “maxed out” on their positions. While this does not directly create selling pressure, it implies that support…