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In the first quarter of 2025, equities experienced notable volatility after a strong run since mid-2022. Global growth stocks, particularly large-cap tech stocks, faced challenges, with the “Magnificent 7” declining 16% for the quarter but still up 20% year-to-date. Australian equities fell 2.9%, dragged down by an 18.2% drop in the Information Technology sector,

Equities slowed down over the lost quarter
of 2024, capping on otherwise positive
year for risk assets. U.S. equities were the
clear outperformers over the year, gaining
25%, boosted by the resolution of election

Global equities navigated a more complicated path in the September quarter but still ended at all-time highs. Early August saw sharp volatility due to weaker U.S labour data, a Bank of Japan interest rate hike, and thinner market liquidity.

Global equities reached record high after faltering in April, as the inflation outlook became more favourable as the quater progressed. The ‘bad news is good news’

Markets rallied to close out the year as hopes of a soft landing once more came to the fore. Bond yields fell as central banks signa

Global equities rose initially on eased inflation, strong data, and Fed’s ‘soft landing.’ Later, Fed hinted at prolonged high rates.

Investors faced volatile quarter; economic outlook dimmed, risk appetite waned. Inflation key; central banks hiked rates to curb it.