Asset management.

•    Israel conducted an attack targeting nuclear sites in Iran, leading to tensions and threats of retaliation; however, the impact on financial markets has remained limited.
•    Inflation figures in the United States are below expectations, aided by inventories that cushion the impact of import taxes.
•    Markets are responding to geopolitical risk by adopting a cautious stance on American equities and maintaining neutrality on corporate credit.

•    Donald Trump ended up abandoning his threat to raise EU tariffs to 50% in June and instead returned to talks on an agreement by July 9, the same date the White House expects to see other agreements reached.
•    European inflation came in at 1.9% in May, or below the ECB’s target so the bank was able to make a fresh 25bp cut this month.
•    In Asia, activity is weakening, with Caixin manufacturing PMI, an indication of momentum among export SMEs and private sector companies,  moving into contraction territory.

The US administration is pushing the idea that the protectionist phase will end around the July 4th celebrations and that it will then focus on a programme of tax cuts and deregulation, which investors seem to believe in. The draft budget being drawn up in Congress does indeed raise hopes of a net fiscal stimulus of around 1% of GDP.

•    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.