Asset management.

•    Moody's withdrew the US's AAA rating due to rising debt, leading to an increase in US Treasury yields.  
•    A budget compromise proposed by the Trump administration was narrowly passed in the House of Representatives, including tax cuts as well as reductions in healthcare spending and green subsidies, but it still needs Senate approval, promising lengthy discussions.
•    In Europe, the trade threat could substantially hamper growth, while in Asia, China and Japan are already facing economic challenges, prompting authorities to implement monetary easing measures.

•    The postponement of tariffs between the USA and China has brought relief to the markets, thereby reducing the likelihood of recession and inflation.
•    April's economic releases from the US have not yet shown any impact related to tariffs, with CPI inflation holding steady at 2.3%. However, the PPI figures reveal a slight acceleration in the prices of imported goods.
•    Government bond yields rose at the beginning of the week after the US-China truce, but the rise was held back by the US-Iran talks and US economic releases.

The corporate hybrid market, historically European centric, has reached the global
stage, providing investors and issuers once in a decade type of opportunities. This
asset class has taken off since 2012 and has become one of the fastest growing
credit segments. Ultimately, the instrument solved a real need for issuers: they could
now issue non-dilutive equity at a competitive cost, notably thanks to the tax deductibility of coupon in most jurisdictions. On the investor side, it also made sense
in a context of low interest rates in Europe following the debt crisis in peripheral
countries. 

•    A meeting scheduled for this weekend between US and Chinese delegations suggests that both countries are ready to negotiate. 
•    Divergences are appearing among central banks: the Bank of England has cautiously cut rates, while the Fed has chosen to maintain rates, navigating between signs of slowing growth and inflationary pressures.
•    In Germany, Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor after two votes in Parliament, an unprecedented event, but his determination reassured investors of future political stability.