Hungary's Political Earthquake: Orban Ousted After 16 Years
Hungary's landmark election swept Viktor Orban from power after 16 years as Peter Magyar's Tisza party secured a historic two-thirds majority. The result reshapes EU dynamics and may unlock frozen aid — with real implications for investors in Central Europe.
Markets Cheer the Ceasefire — But the Real Risks Are Just Beginning
Global markets staged a historic relief rally after the US-Iran ceasefire, but inflation expectations have risen sharply and the Fed is on hold all year. The question is not whether to join the rally — it's how to position for the structurally more expensive world that follows.
The Hormuz Gambit: How Iran Turned a Military Ultimatum into a Negotiating Victory
A dramatic last-minute reversal by President Trump transformed a potential military catastrophe into an uneasy ceasefire. Iran emerges with its leverage largely intact and a possible new revenue stream from the world's most critical oil chokepoint.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped March 2026
Global markets experienced a turbulent month in March 2026, as geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices, and shifting interest rate expectations triggered broad market dislocations. Equities declined across most regions, while bond yields rose and traditional diversification offered limited protection. The escalation of the Iran conflict, combined with persistent inflation pressures, increased stagflation risks, leaving investors navigating an unusually complex and uncertain macroeconomic environment.
OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report March 2026
The OECD’s March 2026 interim outlook highlights a global economy under pressure from Middle East tensions. While resilient growth is supported by strong technology investment and easing tariffs, rising energy prices and supply disruptions—particularly through the Strait of Hormuz—are driving inflation and uncertainty. Global GDP is expected to remain stable near 2.9% in 2026, but risks are tilted to the downside, with prolonged energy shocks potentially weakening growth and extending inflationary pressures worldwide.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped February 2026
Artificial intelligence is disrupting the software industry, compressing margins and challenging traditional business models. At the same time, geopolitical tensions, currency shifts, trade disputes, and energy market shocks are reshaping the global economic landscape. Markets are navigating structural change across technology, geopolitics, trade policy, and global power balances.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped January 2026
Rising geopolitical tensions, trade realignments and institutional pressures marked the start of 2026. From U.S. intervention in Venezuela and renewed power politics to central bank independence concerns, landmark trade agreements and shifting investor sentiment, global politics and economics are increasingly shaped by coercion, strategic rivalry and fragile alliances.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped December 2025
2025 was shaped by rising trade tensions, shifting geopolitics, AI adoption and resilient financial markets. Higher U.S. tariffs, China’s export dominance, changing security priorities, and the normalization of Japanese monetary policy all defined a complex global backdrop, while equity markets delivered strong but currency-dependent returns.
OECD Economic Outlook – December 2025
The OECD Economic Outlook highlights resilient global growth supported by improving financial conditions and AI investment, but warns of rising fragilities. Slowing labour markets, trade tensions, financial risks and weak productivity underline the need for structural reforms to secure sustainable growth and bring inflation back to target.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped November 2025
Global markets shift as major political and economic developments unfold: the U.S. ends its longest government shutdown, tariffs are rolled back, Switzerland strikes a landmark trade deal, Nvidia soars on explosive AI demand, China faces weakening growth, and expectations for a December Fed rate cut continue to build.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped October 2025
Global business activity strengthened in October as Germany and the U.S. led global growth momentum. Inflation rose to 3% in the U.S., while regional bank troubles resurfaced. China tightened rare earth exports, the U.S. sanctioned Russian oil giants, and Japan elected its first female prime minister amid shifting global dynamics.
The End of ESG
ESG is not dead—it’s evolving. Discover how Alex Edmans redefines environmental, social, and governance investing as an integral part of long-term value creation, beyond politics and box-ticking.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped September 2025
September 2025, a turbulent month in global politics and economics: Trump plans 100% tariffs on medicines and higher visa costs, while the Fed cuts rates under pressure. Europe faces U.S. demands on digital taxes, France loses its prime minister, and Russia strikes NATO territory. Gold hits record highs, Switzerland signs a Mercosur trade deal.
OECD Economic Outlook – September 2025
Global growth remained more resilient than expected in early 2025, driven by emerging markets and the US. Industrial activity and trade were boosted by front-loading ahead of US tariff hikes, which reached an effective rate of 19.5% by August — the highest since the 1930s. While the full impact is still unfolding, early signs of strain are visible in consumption, labour markets and prices. Risks to the outlook remain tilted to the downside, though easing trade restrictions or rapid advances in AI could provide upside surprises.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped August 2025
August 2025 saw mounting political pressure on the U.S. Fed and a looming confidence vote in France, shaking investor sentiment. While eurozone 10-year yields held steady, credit spreads in the U.S. remained tight amid demand for high-grade corporates. Global equities rose modestly, led by emerging Asian and resource-rich markets.
Too Many Challenges for Equity Markets: La Côte Invest Now Hedging 50% of Its Equity Exposure
Amidst global economic uncertainties, La Côte Invest is taking proactive measures by hedging 50% of its equity exposure. This strategic move involves implementing a Put Spread strategy with a lookback feature, aiming to protect the portfolio from potential market downturns.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped July 2025
U.S. inflation rose to 2.7% in July, keeping Fed rates steady at 4.25–4.50%. Trump escalated trade tensions with new tariffs, while markets rebounded, led by Nvidia surpassing $4 trillion. Spain faced tourism strikes, and England’s Lionesses clinched the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 in Basel.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped June 2025
June was shaped by Middle East tensions, a sharp but short-lived oil price spike, and diverging central bank paths, with the Fed on hold and the ECB cutting rates. Trump’s renewed attacks on Powell pressured the dollar, while the BIS warned of rising global fragility. A 90-day US-China tariff truce brought only temporary relief to markets.
OECD Economic Outlook – June 2025
The global economic outlook is deteriorating, with rising trade barriers, policy uncertainty, and tightening financial conditions threatening growth. Inflation risks remain high, driven by trade disruptions—though lower commodity prices may offer some relief. A reversal in trade tensions could provide a much-needed boost.
LCI Monthly – What Shaped May 2025
May 2025 saw a shift in the global landscape: the U.S. economy contracted, Moody’s downgraded U.S. debt, and trade tensions eased with delayed tariffs. Equity markets rallied, especially in Europe and North America. Friedrich Merz became Germany’s new Chancellor, Pope Leo XIV was elected, and bond yields rose as markets reacted to fiscal concerns and central bank signals.