UBS On-Air: Market Moves

How much longer will uncertainty last, and where might it all settle? Burkhard weighs in as investors continue to navigate everything from policy pivots to Fed independence to inflation, and much more. Plus, thoughts on how investors should react to a market recovery (or a deeper downturn). We also check in on the status of the global rotation trade, and gold.

How much longer will uncertainty last, and where might it all settle? Burkhard weighs in as investors continue to navigate everything from policy pivots to Fed independence to inflation, and much more. Plus, thoughts on how investors should react to a market recovery (or a deeper downturn). We also check in on the status of the global rotation trade, and gold.

Hear from members of the UBS Chief Investment Office fixed income team as they provide a performance and positioning update across fixed income sub-sectors. Featured are Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, Sudip Mukherjee, Senior Municipal Strategist Americas, Sangeeta Marfatia, Senior Closed-end Fund Strategist Americas, along with Senior Fixed Income Strategists’ Barry McAlinden and Frank Sileo, from the UBS Chief Investment Office.

With investor concerns growing, US President Trump demonstrated the art of the retreat. They stated they had “no intention” of firing Federal Reserve Chair Powell. Trump may not be able to (legally), but markets will still have lingering concerns about Fed independence. Trump also said they would be “very nice” in any trade negotiations with China, raising hopes that the tax burden on US consumer may lessen.

Despite near-term headwinds and elevated volatility, the market dislocation brings opportunities for muni investors. Sudip and Jeannine provide a muni market performance update and share portfolio considerations for muni investors. Featured are Sudip Mukherjee, Fixed Income Strategist Americas, & Jeannine Lennon, Municipal Strategist Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US President Trump again called for lower US interest rates. Markets interpreted this as undermining Federal Reserve independence, and markets do not like that (US assets weakened). The coming US economic slowdown is driven more by rising risk than high rates. Borrowing to fund investment and consumption balances the cost of capital with uncertainty about the future. Rising uncertainty is the US problem.

Following a relatively calm holiday shortened trading week with little to no developments on the tariff front, Jason updates on where tariff negotiations stand, and what to look out for in the near-term. We also recap last week’s macro developments, spanning retail sales to Q1 corporate earnings, along with takeaways from Fed Chairman Powell’s remarks at the Economic Club of Chicago (and the White House response). Plus, guidance on how to position your portfolio for the current environment. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US National Economic Council Director Hassett said US President Trump was investigating whether they could fire Federal Reserve Chair Powell. Investors seem less than happy with the idea of a politicized Fed—the US dollar and long-dated government bonds have weakened. There are checks on the president’s authority. Fed governors need to be confirmed by the Senate. The FOMC chair does not have to be the Fed chair. However, some of these checks depend on rule of law.

In the short period following early April’s “Liberation Day” announcement of tariffs by the White House, questions remain amongst global investors as to whether the world is headed towards a protracted trade war, and a new regime of significantly higher tariffs. What might this all mean for Europe? Which sectors are most at risk? How can investors position portfolios accordingly? Paul Donovan, Chief Economist for UBS GWM, weighs in on these questions, along with co-hosts Christopher Swann and Belinda Peeters.

Federal Reserve Chair Powell noted US President Trump’s trade taxes would raise inflation and lower economic growth. Markets have already worked this out, but Powell saying it has policy implications. On the evidence of (unreliable) sentiment surveys, over a third of US consumers think inflation will exceed 10% this year. Powell emphasized longer-term inflation expectations, which should still allow for rate cuts. The self-inflicted nature of the economic slowdown may limit the number of cuts.

Hear a discussion on the stability of the US financial system, featuring Steven Kelly, Associate Director of Research at Yale School of Management, Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income, CIO Americas

The UBS AI Podcast explores the fascinating and evolving world of artificial intelligence, how it's transforming industries, redefining what's possible and reshaping the future. On this first episode of the CEO Series, Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, CIO for Global Equities with the UBS Chief Investment Office, converses with Arvind Jain, the CEO and Co-Founder of Glean. Ulrike and Arvind dive into the vision behind Glean, and discuss the future of AI and workplace productivity.

China halted the import of Boeing planes; US President Trump asked China to call him, and then imposed permanent restrictions on NVIDIA chip sales to China; EU leaks suggest negotiators do not believe the US knows what it wants from trade talks. Economic nationalism remains alive and well and includes capital flows. US TICS capital flows data is due today (but misses large amounts of foreign activity in US capital markets).

Our conversation outlines the current landscape for fixed income investors and where to locate opportunity within the asset class. We also discuss the road ahead for monetary policy, the economy and the broader markets, against the backdrop of US trade policy uncertainty. Featured are Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office, and Ed Al-Hussainy, Global Interest Rate Strategist, Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US President Trump appears “very happy” with the economic consequences of trade taxes to date, and is therefore proposing to add to US consumers’ tax burden with levies on computer chips and pharmaceuticals. The tax on chips will probably reverse some of the effects of the retreat from taxing smartphones.

As investor uncertainty persists over the direction of US trade policy, Jason applies some definition to “Trumponomics”, along with explains the equity and bond market response to recent tariff developments. Plus, a preview of busy week ahead which includes numerous Q1 corporate earnings results, retail sales data - and of course - likely further news on tariffs. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US President Trump retreated from more trade taxes on Friday, exempting iPhones and some other electronics from much of the 145% tax on imports from China. This would have been a very visible tax increase. While consumers tend to be sensitive to the price of high frequency purchases like food and fuel, a roughly 60% increase in an iPhone’s consumer price from trade taxes would be noticed.

US President Trump’s administration clarified the 125% tax on imports from China was 145%. This increase will not shift demand patterns (it will cost US consumers more money). For investors, this raises policy competence questions again. A well-planned trade tax would consider costs. Tax rates set seemingly at random question whether costs are properly considered.

It’s natural to feel anxious during market drawdowns, which is why having a plan to weather market storms (and take advantage of market volatility) can be helpful. Justin outlines some reasons to be confident and calm during market drawdowns, and how to plan accordingly. Featured is Justin Waring, Senior Total Wealth Strategist, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

As US trade policy continues to evolve quickly, Shane drops by to update us on the latest, and what the near-term may consist of with respect to negotiations. We also discuss progress around the budget resolution up on Capitol Hill, and recap Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s White House visit earlier this week. Featured is Shane Lieberman, Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor, Governmental Affairs US. Host: Daniel Cassidy