2025 kicks off with market optimism vs geopolitical jitters

US equities began 2025 with a brief sell-off followed by a rebound, while Chinese shares are having their worst start to a year since 2016. Microsoft said that it will spend USD 80 billion on data centres this year. This week, investors will be watching economic data releases, including PMI and employment figures, to gauge the global economic outlook. Upcoming events later this month include earnings reports from majorUS banks, the People's Bank of China's interest rate decision, Donald Trump's inauguration, and US Federal Reserve and ECB interest rate decisions at the end of the month. Mensur Pocinci, Head of Technical Analysis, notes that the S&P 500 needs to regain the psychologically important 6000 level after last month's decline.00:00 Introduction by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)00:31 Markets wrap-up by Mike Rauber (Investment Writing)06:52 Technical Analysis update by Mensur Pocinci (Head of Technical Analysis)09:54 Closing remarks by Helen Freer (Investment Writing)Would you like to support this show? Please leave us a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast player.