Investing.com - Stock markets have generally produced a positive performance in the first half of 2024, driven by strong gains in the technology sector. UBS takes a look at the factors that are likely to determine results in the second half of the year.Equity investors mostly enjoyed the first half of 2024, with the broad-based benchmark U.S. index, the S&P 500, gaining just over 14% year-to-date.
The two oldest candidates ever to run for U.S. president are essentially tied in national opinion polls with fewer than five months to go, and meet on Thursday for their first televised debate. But the key takeaway at this stage is that the outcome remains uncertain, and no single outcome can be considered as “likely.”
Meanwhile, the renewables sector has performed strongly recently amid optimism about AI demand. But there is a risk that a “red sweep” leads to lower government support. As a result, with central banks cutting rates, current returns on cash will not be available for much longer. So investors holding cash or money market funds need to consider other options for their liquidity.
Investors need to make sure they are sufficiently invested in AI, the bank added, tilting towards the enabling layer.