Q1 2023 review: Markets end higher amid volatile quarter

Following on from a very difficult year for investors, 2023 got off to a more positive start with a volatile end in March.

Last year both equities and bond markets experienced substantial losses globally; the two asset classes recorded positive performance during the first quarter of the new year.

Equities surged over the month of January as optimism around a China reopening, signs of peaking inflation and less pessimistic sets of economic growth data helped fuel investor hopes of a soft landing. However, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) shocked markets in March, and caused equities to sell off. Government bonds rallied sharply as investors questioned the soundness of smaller banks and factored in a possible pause in Federal Reserve tightening.

Read in full: Q3 2023 review: Markets end higher amid volatile quarter

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