UBS On-Air: Market Moves

Join David Lefkowitz, Head of Equities Americas, each month for a look at the factors that are driving performance across US equities. We also cover risk considerations, thematic focuses, and positioning recommendations from the UBS Chief Investment Office (as outlined within the latest UBS House View). This month, David outlines the factors behind CIO’s S&P 500 price target increases, why the rollout of AI remains a key positive for the market, the implications of rising longer-term interest rates, risk factors such as inflation and the over-building of data centers, and more. Host: Daniel Cassidy

US Treasury Secretary Bessent declared the proposed Treasury buybacks could be four billion dollars. Bond investors seem to feel that four billion dollars is not terribly impressive. Yields rose—though a sense of proportion is helpful. This is hardly a repeat of the 1994 bond market collapse. What matters is whether the bond weakness has attracted US President Trump’s attention, triggering a policy response.

Matt drops by UBS Studios in New York to rejoin Jason for a wide-ranging conversation which spans the US macroeconomic environment, equity market performance, the AI capex cycle, Fed monetary policy, and market risk considerations. Plus, and exchange of views on portfolio positioning. Matt McLennan is Head of the Global Value Team, and a portfolio manager at First Eagle Investments, and is a member of the UBS Research Advisory Board. Jason Draho is Head of Asset Allocation Americas with the UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Edwin Marrero

The announcement that the US Treasury would “at least double” purchases of long-term US government bonds sparked a rally; 10-year yields fell to levels not seen for a whole week. Higher yields impact the US affordability crisis and debt service costs, making them a political focus. This policy is to counter the (presumably unintended) consequences for bond markets of other policies like the Gulf war and tariffs.

Tensions in the Gulf continue, and crude oil futures remain over USD 90 per barrel. This has reignited some inflation concerns. The fact that consumers have shifted spending patterns in response to higher oil prices is not properly reflected in inflation calculations—and while the impact will not be dramatic, it does mean that the damage to real incomes is slightly less than inflation data suggests.