The recent US employment report surprised more than one analyst. Financial markets were agitated following the announcement of non-agricultural job creation well above expectations. While the consensus of experts was counting on 170,000 new hires, 336’000 jobs were created in September, the Federal Reserve System aims to maximize employment in addition to ensuring monetary stability. An undeniable sign of the robustness of the job market across the Atlantic. The unemployment rate remains stable at 3.8%, a performance that few had anticipated. This news led to a notable rise in interest rates and a decline in stock indices, highlighting the direct impact of these figures on investments.
However, the economic spectacle was not played out only on American soil. Indeed, the positive echo from Wall Street only lasted for a weekend. The Swiss stock market was shaken at the start of the week. The cause? An escalation of violence in the Middle East. Massive Palestinian attacks in Israel and Israeli responses in the Gaza Strip marked a resumption of hostilities in the region.

The geopolitical situation in this part of the world is not without consequences for the financial markets. The Middle East, crucial in terms of oil extraction volumes, has seen the price of black gold rise in response to these tensions. The global economy’s dependence on energy and the potential implications of these conflicts on oil supplies are a reminder of how geopolitical events can have a major impact on the economy.

Stock Exchanges:

A stock exchange is a marketplace where buyers and sellers come together to trade financial securities (stocks, bonds, options,ETF,…). While stock exchanges now operate electronically, they once took place in physical locations, with stock prices being shouted out loud. Several major stock exchanges exist worldwide. Foremost is the New York Stock Exchange, boasting a capitalization of over $25 trillion, making it the world’s largest. Following that are Asian stock exchanges: Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, each with a capitalization nearing $5 trillion. Europe houses some of the oldest exchanges, including London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Emerging from the introduction of the euro, the Euronext group began with the merger of Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris exchanges. It later incorporated other European exchanges such as Dublin and Lisbon. With a capitalization of $4 trillion, Euronext is a significant stock market entity, home to renowned indices like the French CAC40. Euronext serves as a central hub for the European financial markets, facilitating the flow of capital, supporting economic growth, and ensuring the proper functioning of the capital markets ecosystem in the region.