Foord Asset Management

After a volatile March, global markets rebounded sharply in April – even as geopolitical tensions escalated and inflation pressures continued to build.
In this episode of Markets in a Nutshell, Linda Eedes focuses on what matters from here.
She explores the macroeconomic backdrop shaping global markets, the risk of inflation staying higher for longer and why now is not the time for investor complacency.

March was a reminder of how quickly market optimism can unravel. The beginning of the month was defined by hopes that inflation had been tamed and would start to fall. But by mid-March, the escalation of the Israel-American conflict with Iran triggered an inescapable disruption the world over. Linda Eedes unpacks this shift and its immediate and far-reaching consequences on global markets during March and beyond in this episode of Markets in a Nutshell.

In February 2026, the S&P 500 stalled while international markets surged, outperforming the US by the widest margin since 2009. From ‘AI scare trades’ to US policy uncertainty, investors are questioning the long-held assumption of US dominance.
 
Investment professional Linda Eedes unpacks why capital is shifting toward Europe, Asia and a resilient South Africa, and why gold – not US Treasuries – is the hedge of choice in the current geopolitical storm.

January started with a geopolitical bang, and the world’s risk premium rose - forcing markets to price a world in which alliances appear more transactional and institutions more exposed to politics. In this month’s Markets in a Nutshell, investment professional Linda Eedes recaps January 2026, from equity gains amid tensions to sharp commodity reversals. Volatility reminded us that crowded trades can unwind with little notice, underscoring the value of diversification, liquidity and fundamentals. The key lesson? Preparation matters more than prediction: deploy capital with discipline as opportunities broaden across regions and sectors.

Rate cuts and resilient growth defied recession fears in 2025. Global equities delivered their strongest year since 2019, with European and emerging markets outperforming the US by double digits. Commodities surged to record highs. Linda Eedes reflects on a remarkable year of unexpected outcomes – and why misbehaving markets remain the greatest certainty as investors step into 2026.