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
April 2026 FOMC Preview: Still In ‘Wait & See’ Mode As Powell’s Departure Nears
The FOMC are set to hold all policy settings steady at the conclusion of the April meeting, remaining in ‘wait and see’ mode amid a fragile labour market backdrop, and an uncertain inflationary outlook as a result of conflict in the Middle East.
Q1 26 ‘Magnificent Seven’ Earnings Preview
First quarter earnings season is now well underway. With the big banks having reported largely solid results, focus now turns to other sectors, with the tech sector soon to be in the spotlight, as the ‘Magnificent Seven’ get set to deliver first quarter figures.
February 2026 UK GDP: Strong Data Masks Mounting Downside Risks
This morning's UK GDP data pointed to a stronger pace of expansion than expected before conflict broke out in the Middle East.
Equities Price An End To Middle East Conflict, But Sector Dispersion Persists
While the S&P 500 has now erased losses seen since the start of conflict in the Middle East, less than half of the index’s sectors have done the same, suggesting significant room for select areas of the market to play ‘catch up’.
Q1 26 Energy Earnings Preview
In light of the recent surge in energy prices, and amid the ongoing disruption caused as a result of conflict in the Middle East, earnings, and associated commentary, from energy majors, will be a key focus for market participants in the upcoming Q1 26 earnings season.
Markets Say "Could Be Worse" On News Of Hormuz Blockade
While crude has advanced, and stocks slipped a touch, the overall market reaction to the weekend news of a US Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been relatively contained, as participants view the move largely as a negotiating gambit from President Trump.
March 2026 US CPI: The Energy Shock Arrives
March’s US CPI report provided the first evidence as to the inflationary impact of higher energy prices, stemming from conflict in the Middle East, though the near-term policy implications of the data are likely lacking.
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.
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1. Data for the Pepperstone Group, correct as at October 2025.