Michael Brown
Senior Research Strategist
Michael Brown is a seasoned, award-winning market analyst, with a record of providing pertinent commentary, analysis, and forecasting across all major asset classes, principally through a global macro focus, over a decade in the financial services industry. He frequently appears in a wide range of UK and international media, discussing major risk events, key market trends, and broader macroeconomic themes. Michael holds an Executive MBA from Cranfield University.
Most recent articles
Q1 26 US Bank Earnings Preview
As is typically the case, the major Wall St banks will kick-off Q1 26 earnings season, with Goldman Sachs getting things underway on Monday 13th April.
Markets Seek To Move Past Geopolitics Amid Fragile US-Iran Ceasefire
A fragile ceasefire has triggered a broad risk-on rally across asset classes, exacerbated by bearish positioning being squeezed, with participants potentially now seeking to move past geopolitics as a narrative, as focus turns to the economic impact of the conflict, as well as the upcoming Q1 reporting season.
Middle East Ceasefire Agreed – Quick Thoughts
Initial thoughts on President Trump suspending attacks on Iran for two weeks, with a ceasefire agreed contingent on the Strait of Hormuz now re-opening.
A Look Ahead To Q1 26 US Earnings Season
Earnings season will soon be upon us once more and, while conflict in the Middle East continues to pre-occupy market participants for the most part, corporate commentary and guidance will nonetheless prove instructive, both in terms of how firms are dealing with increased cost pressures, and how consumer demand is holding up amid heightened uncertainty.
March 2026 US Employment Report: Chunky Headline Beat But Geopolitical Uncertainty Presents Downside Risks
Payrolls growth massively beat expectations in March, with unemployment unexpectedly declining too, though ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and continued geopolitical uncertainty, pose downside risks looking forwards.
Markets Start To Trade An End To The Middle East Conflict
A combination of euphoria, exuberance, and relief has driven a considerable rebound in risk appetite over the last day or so, as hopes grow for a swift end to conflict in the Middle East.
Taking Stock Of The Equity Market Slump: Gauging Where A Turning Point May Lie
Despite a broad-based equity correction driven by geopolitical risk and an energy shock, technical indicators and market positioning suggest a turning point may not yet have been reached.
Preview For The March 2026 US Jobs Report
The first Friday of the month, despite being Good Friday, will nonetheless bring our latest update on the health of the US labour market. While ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to dominate the narrative, and the subsequent surge in energy prices poses notable upside inflation risks, policymakers and market participants alike will no doubt continue to pay close attention to the jobs report, particularly after a substantial downside surprise in the February figures.
Five Market Takeaways From Another Hectic Week Of Geopolitical Headlines
Amid intense geopolitical headlines, markets are balancing de-escalation signals, disrupted energy flows, and a recalibration of central bank policy expectations.
Equities Look Through The Noise As A ‘Trump Put’ Potentially Emerges
Markets are stabilising despite ongoing Middle East conflict, with de-escalation signals and the re-emergence of the ‘Trump put’ helping to anchor risk sentiment.
This Energy Price Shock Isn’t Like The Last One
Markets are treating the latest energy shock as a repeat of 2022, but weaker growth, tighter monetary policy, and greater labour market slack point to limited risks of inflation persistence and a different central bank reaction function.
TACO Time, Again - Trump Seeks To De-Escalate Middle East Conflict
Via Truth Social, President Trump has announced a 5-day pause in strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, and talks with the nation aimed at a 'complete and total' resolution to the conflict, sparking a violent risk-on market reaction.
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1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.