UBS On-Air: Market Moves

Higher inflation and rates are near-term challenges. Policy-makers may respond by either exercising their policy "puts" or by making policy errors, both of which would impact near-term market performance. With the unofficial start of summer beginning this coming weekend, a question that investors may be asking is whether they should sell in May before they go away. Featured is Jason Draho, Head of Asset Allocation Americas, UBS Chief Investment Office. Host: Daniel Cassidy

Markets are unsettled by a fire at an Emirati nuclear power plant, caused by an unidentified drone. US President Trump posted on social media about Iran using capital letters, and Iranian media are clear that Iran does not see an imminent US deal. Oil prices are still well below levels required to match supply and demand (without using reserves). Separately, media reports progress on a UK trade deal with Gulf states—not relevant immediately but important when reconstruction and rearmament budgets start to be spent.

After a week marked by rising bond yields and a steepening US yield curve, markets are weighing whether higher rates are a true signal or just noise for equities. We discuss why, despite the move in rates, the US equity bull market remains supported by strong global government spending, resilient consumer spending, and continued corporate investment in areas like AI. History shows that equity markets can withstand rate increases as long as growth stays solid. Tune in at the start of the trading week for this regular market outlook from Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi, Chief Investment Officer for the Americas and Global Head of Equities. Recorded on 17 May 2026.

Our conversation outlines the current landscape for fixed income investors, and where to locate opportunity within the asset class. We also touch on an outlook for monetary policy, rates and the macro environment. Featured are Adam Bloch, Portfolio Manager with Guggenheim Investments, and Leslie Falconio, Head of Taxable Fixed Income Strategy Americas with the UBS Chief Investment Office.

The China-US summit concluded. Much increasingly scarce jet fuel has been burned to produce nothing of real substance. China’s President Xi declared an agreement to keep trade ties stable. The two sides were unlikely to agree to anything different (no one would announce unstable trade ties). Stability is not a word that is normally associated with US trade policy over the past 15 months, lessening the statement’s value.