First Quarter Overview - Massive Swings and Volatility in Stock Markets
GO Markets
9/3/2021
•
0 min read
Share this post
Copy URL
First Quarter Overview - Massive Swings and Volatility in Stock Markets First quarter of the year ended with markets experiencing massive swings and volatility. Higher bond yields, revised inflation expectations and a potential trade war brought fears to the markets, making investors very sensitive to any economic data releases or changes in the markets. Markets were comfortable to the “artificial” low interest rates for a decade.
Higher bond yields rattled the markets as investors realized that the “ era of low interest rates which was created artificially by quantitative easing” is coming to an end. After the financial crisis in 2008, major central banks across the world cut their base lending rates. The below graph depicts the dramatic change in interest rates after the crisis.
With a stronger global economy, central banks have started unwinding the post-GFC monetary stimulus and policymakers are ready to change their stance on interest rates which are putting pressure on the bond markets Traders are in a fragile state of mind as higher interest rates mean that safer bonds are offering greater returns, making risky stocks less attractive. After February’s tumble, stock markets’ volatility soared on the aggressive tariffs stance taken by President Trump. A potential trade war between China and U.S, the world’s two largest economies, are threatening the spectrum of global trade.
Even though President Trump is confident that “trade wars are good and easy to win”, it seems that he is forgetting that history is telling a different story. Markets are swinging between risk off and risk on mode following any tit-for-tat response from the US and China. At the Boao Forum, President Xi’s speech managed to ease some concerns, but investors stay worried as the unpredictability and uncertainty around global trade could put considerable pressure on the markets.
By
GO Markets
The information provided is of general nature only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situations or needs. Before acting on any information provided, you should consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. All opinions, conclusions, forecasts or recommendations are reasonably held at the time of compilation but are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Go Markets Pty Ltd, ABN 85 081 864 039, AFSL 254963 is a CFD issuer, and trading carries significant risks and is not suitable for everyone. You do not own or have any interest in the rights to the underlying assets. You should consider the appropriateness by reviewing our TMD, FSG, PDS and other CFD legal documents to ensure you understand the risks before you invest in CFDs.
EOS 为军事平台构建 “大脑” 和 “肌肉”。它最出名的是远程武器系统,允许操作员从防护车辆内部控制武装炮塔,以及用于反无人机防御的高能激光系统。EOS表示,在2025年之前赢得了一系列合同之后,其无条件的积压订单在2026年初达到约4.591亿澳元。尽管交付时间和收入转换仍然很重要,但这表明安全工作的基础要大得多。
2025 has seen a material decline in the fortunes of the greenback. A technical structure breakdown early in the year was followed by a breach of the 200-day moving average (MA) at the end of Q1. The index then entered correction territory, printing a three-year low at the end of Q2.
Since then, we have seen attempts to build a technical base, including a re-test of the end-of-June lows in mid-September. However, buying pressure has not been strong enough to push price back above the technically critical and psychologically important 100 level.
What the levels suggest from here
As things stand, the index remains more than 10% lower for 2025. On this technical view, the index may revisit the 96 area. However, technical levels can fail and outcomes depend on multiple factors.
US dollar index
Source: TradingView
The key question for 2026
The key question remains: are we likely to see further losses in the early part of next year and beyond, or will current support hold?
We cannot assess the US dollar in isolation and any outlook is shaped by internal and global factors, not least its relative strength versus other major currencies. Many of these drivers are interrelated, but four potential headwinds stand out for any US dollar recovery. Collectively, they may keep downside pressure in play.
Four headwinds for any US dollar recovery
1. The US dollar as a safe-haven trade
One scenario where US dollar support has historically been evident is during major global events, slowdowns and market shocks. However, the more muted response of the US dollar during risk-off episodes this year suggests a shift away from the historical norm, with fewer sustained US dollar rallies.
Instead, throughout 2025, some investors appearedto favour gold, and at other times, FX and even equities, rather than into the US dollar. If this change in behaviour persists through 2026, it could make recovery harder, even if global economic pressure builds over the year ahead.
2. US versus global trade
Trade policy is harder to measure objectively, and outcomes can be difficult to predict. That said, trade battles driven by tariffs on US imports are often viewed as an additional potential drag on the US dollar.
The impact may be twofold if additional strain is placed on the US economy through:
a slowdown in global trade volumes as impacted countries seek alternative trade relationships, with supply chain distortions that may not favour US growth
pressure on US corporate profit margins as tariffs lift costs for importers
3. Removal of quantitative tightening
The Fed formally halted its balance sheet reduction, quantitative tightening (QT), as of 1 December 2025, ending a program that shrank assets by roughly US$2.4 trillion since mid-2022.
Traditionally, ending QT is seen as marginally negative for the US dollar because it stops the withdrawal of liquidity, can ease global funding conditions, and may reduce the scarcity that can support dollar demand. Put simply, more dollars in the system can soften the currency’s support at the margin, although outcomes have varied historically and often depend on broader financial conditions.
4. Interest rate differential
Interest rate differential (IRD) is likely to be a primary driver of US dollar strength, or otherwise, in the months ahead. The latest FOMC meeting delivered the expected 0.25% cut, with attention on guidance for what may come next.
Even after a softer-than-expected CPI print, markets have been reluctant to price aggressive near-term easing. At the time of writing, less than a 20% chance of a January cut is priced in, and it may be March before we see the next move.
The Fed is balancing sticky inflation against a jobs market under pressure, with the headline rate back at levels last seen in 2012. The practical takeaway is that a more accommodative stance may add to downward pressure on the US dollar.
Current expectations imply around two rate cuts through 2026, with the potential for further easing beyond that, broadly consistent with the median projections shown in the chart below. These are forecasts rather than guarantees, and they can shift as economic data and policy guidance evolve.
Source: US Federal Reserve, Summart of Economic Projections
EOS 为军事平台构建 “大脑” 和 “肌肉”。它最出名的是远程武器系统,允许操作员从防护车辆内部控制武装炮塔,以及用于反无人机防御的高能激光系统。EOS表示,在2025年之前赢得了一系列合同之后,其无条件的积压订单在2026年初达到约4.591亿澳元。尽管交付时间和收入转换仍然很重要,但这表明安全工作的基础要大得多。