RBC Wealth Management – Asia

The U.S. stock market has challenges coming from all sides yet continues to rally. At first glance the market may seem disconnected from reality. However, corporate earnings have been the great stabilizer. The post The earnings bedrock appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

AI has been all the rage, but quantum computing may be tech’s next big thing. While the timing of its commercial viability is uncertain, many governments see it as a cornerstone of long-term economic competitiveness and national security. The post Quantum computing and the next technology contest appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

Until quite recently, the AI boom had been viewed in an almost entirely positive light. But for all of the promise, fears are now growing that AI could also disrupt sectors, hurt workers and pose a risk to the economy. The post The promise and peril of AI appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

U.S. equity markets are at record levels, supported by resilient corporate earnings and investors looking past geopolitical risks in the Middle East. However, a widening gap is emerging between asset prices and underlying economic conditions. The post The delicate shift toward an efficiency-driven economy appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

The U.S. midterm election in November is shaping up to be a referendum on Trump 2.0. We examine historical equity market performance surrounding midterm elections, and what this might be – or might not be – suggesting for this year and next. The post Midterms, the market and what matters appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

A new era is at hand at the Fed with Kevin Warsh poised to become the next chair. We look at how this may affect monetary policy ahead and point out that the days when the chair held outsized influence over the institution may be a thing of the past. The post Fed change is afoot, in more ways than one appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

The U.S. stock market’s resilience was on display after hitting an all-time high as Middle East crisis risks de-escalated. But inflation and economic growth headwinds shouldn’t be ignored, and we examine how the investment environment is taking shape. The post A resilient rally for U.S. equities, but economic headwinds persist appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

Although elevated oil prices continuing past this quarter may push up non-energy costs and influence core inflation, we don't anticipate the kind of prolonged, broad-based inflationary pressure that defined 2022. The post Why the oil price shock isn’t likely to reignite broad inflation in Canada appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

Electricity has emerged as a key constraint on AI hyperscalers’ ambitious capital spending plans. Data centres consume a growing share of U.S. electricity. Despite rising investment in generation and transmission, capacity is struggling to keep up, and electricity prices are rising. The post Data centre power struggle appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

With war and geopolitics dominating headlines, it’s easy to overlook slower-moving changes in the investment background. We think it is important for investors to reexamine some long-held assumptions on policy impacts and investor behaviour. The post An evolving role for the dollar and the Fed appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

Given stock markets’ erratic moves of late, it’s important to remember that volatility is normal. We look at how investors should think about portfolio allocations so that they can act as an anchor during periods of extreme volatility. The post Coping mechanisms for equity market volatility appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

Amid the uncertainty swirling from the Middle East crisis, several forces are pushing and pulling on stock markets. Bouts of intense volatility are likely. The post Global equity: Buckle up but don’t give up appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

The Middle East conflict has thrust energy markets into crisis. While diplomatic overtures have offered a glimmer of de-escalation, military buildups and strikes persist. We look at evolving strife, market risks ahead and lessons history offers. The post Iran war: De-escalating or escalating? appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

The FOMC, BoC, BoE, ECB, RBA, and BoJ held policy meetings this week amid uncertainty caused by the Middle East crisis. While policymakers acknowledged that uncertainty, markets increasingly believe central banks may need to tighten policy rates. The post Central bank alphabet soup appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

The U.S. central bank wields a powerful hammer with its ability to move interest rates. Despite its strength, though, we think the central bank is poorly suited to address key concerns arising from high oil prices and the rollout of AI. The post The Federal Reserve’s imperfect toolbox appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .

With the Middle East gripped in an acute crisis, it’s worth examining how prior military conflicts and significant geopolitical events impacted the U.S. stock market – and what history suggests for investors today. The post Then and now: Market reactions to military conflicts and what they mean today appeared first on RBC Wealth Management - Asia .