While geopolitics continued to dominate headlines last week, markets focused on strong earnings and supportive economic data. In the US, stable labor markets and solid corporate results offset weak consumer sentiment, while the Eurozone saw mixed activity alongside rising price pressures, and China services sector expanded. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia and Norges Bank raised rates on inflation concerns. Equity markets ended the week broadly higher, while US Treasury yields declined. Oil prices weakened, and the US dollar softened. A surge in US semiconductor stocks (C.O.T.W) to relative extremes, ... (full story)