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
Powell Is Already Yesterday’s Man
Even with around seven months of his term as Chair left to serve out, Jerome Powell, for market participants, is already starting to look like 'yesterday's man', with the near-term policy path in little doubt, and the medium-term path largely down to Powell's successor.
Data Vacuum To Persist As Govt. Shutdown Continues
Markets struggled for direction on Friday amid a data vacuum stemming from the ongoing US government shutdown. This week, a light data docket awaits once more, as politics remains the focus.
A Look Ahead To Q3 25 US Earnings Season
Corporate reporting season will soon be upon us once more, with the banks set to kick things off in mid-October. As trade uncertainty fades, and the FOMC resume the easing cycle, participants will be seeking evidence not only that earnings growth remains solid, but also that the underlying US economy remains in robust shape.
Participants Ignore Political Pantomime As Jobs Day Postponed
Markets were steadier on Thursday as participants, rightly, ignored the ongoing political pantomime in Washington DC, while a barren docket awaits today, amid the postponement of the September US jobs report.
Choppy Trade As Government Shutdown Continues
Conditions were choppy on Wednesday, amid a mixed slate of economic data, as the US government shutdown continued. Today, a relatively light docket lies in wait.
Q4 Begins As US Government Shuts Down
Markets traded in choppy fashion on Tuesday, despite better-than-expected US job openings data. Today, as Q4 gets underway, the US government shutdown begins, while manufacturing PMIs highlight the calendar.
Looking Ahead To The 2025 UK Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver the Budget in a little under two months’ time, with the prospect of further significant tax hikes looming large, as another fiscal ‘black hole’ needs to be plugged, with bond vigilantes waiting in the wings to pounce.
Stocks Gain And Gold Rallies As Government Shutdown Looms
Markets brought more of the same yesterday amid further gains on Wall Street, and fresh record highs for gold, while the dollar softened. Today, JOLTS job openings highlight the docket, as a US government shutdown looms.
Preview For The September 2025 US Jobs Report
The first Friday of the month, as usual, is scheduled to bring our latest update on US labour market conditions, though the looming threat of a government shutdown raises the prospect that the release of the figures could be postponed.
Calmer Conditions Prevail Ahead Of Busy Start To Q4
Markets were relatively calm on Friday as data failed to move the needle, with stocks a touch higher, and the dollar modestly softer, into the weekend. This week, a busy docket awaits, highlighted by the latest US jobs report.
US Economy Sizzles As Sentiment Wobbles
Sentiment wobbled yesterday despite solid US data, as markets priced a more hawkish path for Fed policy. Today, US PCE & final UMich sentiment data highlight the docket.
Markets Meander Amid Dearth Of Catalysts
Markets plodded along, yesterday, amid a lack of fresh catalysts, seeing stocks soften a touch, while the dollar continued to rebound. Today, a busy economic docket awaits, though little is likely to move the needle.
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1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.