Watch the Federal Reserve

Equity markets are now up against a relentless Fed that is persistent in its view that it needs to bring inflation down, with the hope of manoeuvring a soft-landing for the US economy.

THE recently concluded first quarter (1Q22) reporting season did not entirely disappoint the market despite more misses than hits as the number of companies that fell short of expectations was higher than those that were above market consensus.

As expected, the 1Q22 period was boosted again by the buoyant commodity sector, allowing most companies in the chemical sector, plantation sector, and selected metal producers to report stellar results.