The week in markets - April is a good month for stocks

In this episode of The Week in Markets, Julius Baer Investment Analyst Jen-Ai Chua reminds us that April is historically a good month for stocks. Good Q1 earnings by American banking heavyweights certainly support this view. A pause in rate hikes would be an added catalyst, but whether this will materialize in the US is still very much anyone's guess, going by the different views held by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and various Fed governors/presidents on the matter. 

Over in Asia, the monetary tightening cycle appears to be close to an inflection point with more central banks keeping tightening on hold. Hopes that Japan will tighten appear to have run into a temporary speed bump as the new BoJ governor remains resolutely set on 'aggressive easing'. That, however, is not stopping Warren Buffet from placing his bets on Japan - the only non US market he is currently invested in. 

We wish Muslim listeners Eid Mubarak and all listeners a Happy Earth Day.