Investors were caught wrong-footed as they headed into 2025: they were expecting corporate tax cuts and deregulation; instead, they are facing a new trade war. Raised tariffs were understood to be bargaining tools to secure concessions, not a priority goal. 

•    In the United States, the Senate, with some Democrat support, managed to avoid a “shutdown” and prolong the budget until September, but some Trump administration decisions are fuelling worries.
•    Germany's spending plan is revitalizing the German and European economies, driving up European stock market indices.
•    The week was also marked by several central bank meetings.

Edmond de Rothschild: assets under management reach an all-time high of CHF 184 billion.

•    Volatility surged this week, resulting in a further decline in US equities. 
•    Eurozone equity markets retreated on the back of uncertainties linked to negotiations in Germany on tax reform and the easing of the debt brake.
•    Long-term European yields continued to climb amid expectations of larger budget deficits, whereas US yields remained stable.

Following the sharp rate hikes of 2022 and 2023, which boosted profitability for banks and insurers but also caused strong liquidity pressures – that led to the spectacular collapse of Credit Suisse - 2024 was a pivotal year for the subordinated financial debt market.
Stronger balance sheets and the prospect of lower interest rates have since rekindled investor interest for these bond instruments. In today’s calmer environment, positive inflows have gradually wiped the losses recorded in earlier years, paving the way for a dynamic 2025.

The first weeks of Donald Trump’s mandate are unfolding at a staggering pace and in chaotic fashion, leaving observers increasingly stunned. And yet, events are proceeding as planned according to his programme. Donald Trump is doing what he said he would.

Edmond de Rothschild Corporate Finance advised the shareholders of ESTYA
(formerly known as ERIS), a French leading integrator in electronic fire safety
and security system services, on the sale of a majority stake to Charterhouse.

•    Germany launches a historic investment program to boost defense and infrastructure spending.
•    D. Trump's erratic behavior, especially concerning tariffs, has created uncertainty that weighs on American morale and has led to a decline in stock markets across the Atlantic.
•    China has unveiled its economic roadmap for 2025, maintaining a growth target of 5%, which sends a message of confidence from the authorities.

There are decades when nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen. This is how one might sum up the general impression after the events of the past week, so profoundly have they upset geopolitical, economic and financial balances. The scene of tensions between V. Zelenskyy and D. Trump on Friday February 28 symbolized the break-up of the Atlantic alliance and the end of the peace dividend on which Western economies and financial markets have prospered in recent decades, leading Germany to overturn its entire fiscal and constitutional framework in order to gain the means to acquire strategic independence from the United States.

•    Wall Street is down close to 4% due to mounting trade uncertainties and waning optimism over the AI theme.
•    D. Trump is fuelling uncertainty and volatility on the markets with his contradictory statements on tariffs, maintaining the March 4 date for the application of tariffs on Canada and Mexico, while increasing those on China by 10%.
•    The geopolitical context is prompting European countries to increase their defense budgets, which could lead to an easing of European fiscal constraints.

•    Hopes of a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict buoyed European equities at the beginning of the week, but Donald Trump's tariff announcements and criticism of Zelensky then caused European and Asian stocks to fall.
•    Donald Trump threatened to escalate the trade war with additional taxes on cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.
•    The FOMC minutes revealed concerns that Donald Trump’s trade and migration policies might fuel inflation.

Edmond de Rothschild strengthens its UK Private Banking presence, increasing its stake in Hottinger and Co Limited to 70%1 and appoints Penny Lovell as CEO Private Banking (UK). Current CEO Mark Robertson has been appointed Chairman of the Board.