HL LIVE
HL commentary as it happens
Tuesday 17th March
Gold hovers around month lows as rate cut hopes fade
Gold edged higher to around $5,020 per ounce but is still hovering close to its lowest level in nearly a month, as investors weigh what the Middle East conflict could mean for inflation and interest rates. Elevated energy prices are keeping inflation worries alive, which in turn makes central banks less likely to rush into cutting rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to hold steady this week, with cuts still on the cards for later in the year. The UK rate outlook isn’t quite as attractive, with the Bank of England expected to hold rates steady before potential rate hikes in 2027.
Oil bounces back with $100 per barrel acting as an anchor for now
Oil prices have bounced back from yesterday’s drop as investors weigh the growing impact of Middle East tensions on global supply. Iran has stepped up attacks on regional energy infrastructure, while most countries have so far stopped short of backing US President Donald Trump’s push to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Still, it does look as if $100 per barrel is the anchor for now, with prices kept somewhat in check by hopes that the vital waterway could reopen after several tankers passed through safely over the weekend, and by reports of back-channel talks between the US and Iran.
US markets on track to hand back some of yesterday’s gains
US markets pushed higher overnight, but futures are pointing to a softer start this afternoon, with volatility still very much in the driver’s seat. Geopolitical tensions ramped up over the weekend as Trump looks to rally support for a coordinated plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although there were tentative signs of de-escalation yesterday, with reports of direct US-Iran talks and oil settling just above $100 a barrel. But even if the Iran conflict comes to a swift resolution, ongoing concerns about stretched valuations and fresh warnings in private credit could keep US markets from breaking into a full-blown rally.
Monday 16th March
Gold falls below $5,000 per ounce
Overall, the war has seen yield curves steepen, which has taken the wind out of gold investors’ sails, and the precious metal dipped below $5,000 per ounce over the weekend before recovering some ground. Keep in mind, it’s still 67% higher on a one-year view, so some profit-taking is to be expected. However, even if central banks don’t produce any surprises this week, all asset classes are likely to prove sensitive to guidance and commentary around the path for rates later in the year.
Fed, BoE, ECB, BoJ to set rates this week
Later this week, central bank decisions will become a key focus for investors. The UK, US, Japan and Eurozone are all expected to leave rates on hold, with Australia being the notable exception, as strong consumer spending and inflation well above target are expected to see rate setters try to take a little steam out of the economy. Over the course of 2026, we expect further cuts by both the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve, but no reductions from the European Central Bank until at least next year. On the other hand, we’re expecting the Bank of Japan to raise rates, with the current interest rates well below the rate of inflation. However, if the current spike in oil prices persists, we may need to revise these views as policy makers grapple with the conflicting inflationary pressure and brakes on economic growth that come with higher energy costs.
FTSE 100 edges up
There’s an air of calm around London markets this morning. The FTSE 100 has posted a gain while ignoring cues from Asian indices, which saw widespread losses overnight despite better-than-expected data for industrial output and retail sales in China. But with Asian economies acutely reliant on oil imports, rising energy prices continue to dominate, with Brent Crude continuing its ascent to around $104 per barrel. So far, there’s been no commitment by the international community in response to Donald Trump’s appeal for a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz. However, the UK’s leading index is partially hedged due to its exposure to oil & gas producers and the defence industry. The heavy weighting from pharmaceutical companies provides a further defensive layer, and recent earnings from banks and financials, another key contributor to the index paint a picture of resilience.
Friday 13th March
Energy markets see a rare moment of calm, but no sign of easing
Energy markets are looking relatively calm this morning, but with oil prices still hovering around the $100 mark and weekly gains of roughly 8%, there’s been little real let‑up. Traders are continuing to weigh the fallout from the conflict with Iran, with no signs of de‑escalation and production disruptions keeping supply concerns front of mind. With the Strait of Hormuz essentially closed, any measures to relieve price pressure are likely to be little more than a temporary stopgap.
US markets stumble as investors begin to price in a prolonged conflict
It was a tough session for US markets last night, with the S&P 500 falling 1.5%, and futures pointing to more weakness heading into this afternoon's open. Investors are starting to question the assumption that the conflict in Iran will be a short-lived disruption, as increasingly heated rhetoric heightens the risk of sustained pressure on energy prices.
UK economy flatlines in January, UK stocks open lower
UK markets opened lower this morning, weighed down by a softer‑than‑expected GDP print and ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The economy failed to grow at all in January, suggesting activity was already subdued even before the recent jump in energy prices began to bite. That’s starting to force a rethink of this year's outlook, with previous 1.0% growth expectations now looking optimistic - with some scenarios pointing to closer to 0.6%, 0.4% or even 0.1%, depending on how long elevated energy costs stick around. While some temporary factors may have played a role, the broader concern is that rising energy prices from March onwards are likely to squeeze both household spending and business investment, potentially leading to a loss of momentum in growth in the months ahead, just as inflation risks remain elevated.
Thursday 12th March
Stable US CPI inflation offers markets a ray of light
The US Consumer Price Index read out for February was thankfully uneventful, with price rises unchanged at 2.4%, bang in line with economists’ forecasts. In quieter times, that would be taken as a positive, but these figures haven’t captured the recent spike in energy prices. While the numbers do point to a picture of underlying price stability, interest rate expectations are likely to be dominated by geopolitical events for a while yet. While the likely timing of further reductions in borrowing costs has been pushed out a few months markets are still expecting at least one rate cut by the Fed this year.
Buyer demand for UK houses dries up in February
This morning’s RICS UK Residential Market Survey showed that the headline net balance for new buyer enquiries slipped from -15% to -26% in February as prospective homeowners exercised caution due to heightened geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, and a difficult mortgage market. Price rise expectations have also moderated but remain positive on a 12-month view. The depth and length of hostilities in the Middle East are likely to remain a key influence on buyer sentiment.
FTSE 100 opens down as oil price climbs back to $100
The FTSE 100 opened down this morning as Iranian naval drones attacked oil tankers in Iraqi waters, sending oil prices back to the $100 mark. Volatility will likely persist in the near-term, but a co-ordinated international response by the 32 members of the International Energy Agency, who have agreed to the largest ever release of emergency oil reserves, should provide some offset as 400 million additional barrels find their way to the market. It’s a testing time for investors, but those with long memories may take comfort in the fact that stock markets have shown remarkable resilience over the years. Since the turn of the century, the FTSE All World index has more than trebled while navigating events including the dot com crash, the Great Financial Crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the coronavirus and Liberation Day.
Wednesday 11th March
Futures for Europe and the US are mixed – noting that the war is far from over
Futures for Europe and the US are painting a more mixed picture with the FTSE 100 opening slightly down, along with the DAX and CAC in Germany and France, while Italy and Spain are in positive territory. Futures across the Pond also look positive. Before too much optimism sets in, investors should be mindful that this war is far from over, despite President Trump’s comments that it would end “soon”. Volatility is high, the VIX index was back up above 25 yesterday, and we expect these fluctuations to continue for a few weeks yet.
Following dramatic spikes earlier in the week, the oil price fell to below $90
Oil – the key driver of stock and bond markets over the past week – has fallen back to below $90 a barrel, providing some relief for markets. Asian markets are in the green today, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index up more than 3% – trading at values last seen at the beginning of February. Recent volatility has been challenging for investors, but it is worth noting that on a one-year view, investors in the region have seen an attractive return of nearly 35%.