The Quarter That Shook Markets

The past quarter saw a significant downturn in global equities, losing nearly 20 trillion in value, marking the worst quarter since 2008, and even worse in Europe since 1987. The energy sector was severely impacted due to demand and supply shocks, with a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia leading to record lows in oil prices. Volatility reached unprecedented levels, with the VIX hitting a record spike. Safe havens like the US Dollar remained stable, while gold and treasuries fluctuated. As the quarter ends, market outlooks vary, with some predicting recovery and others anticipating further decline.

What was a major factor contributing to the worst quarter for global equities since 2008?

• A surge in technology stocks

• An increase in consumer spending

• The coronavirus pandemic

• A decrease in interest rates

Which sector was most affected by the economic downturn discussed in the video?

• Finance

• Energy

• Healthcare

• Technology

What was the only reliable safe haven during the market volatility?

• Gold

• Treasuries

• King Dollar

• Real Estate

What was a significant cause of increased market volatility in early March?

• An increase in government spending

• A rise in consumer confidence

• A decrease in oil prices

• A VAR shock of volatility

What is the main point of disagreement among financial experts regarding future market conditions?

• Whether interest rates will rise

• Whether consumer spending will increase

• Whether the market has reached its lowest point

• Whether technology stocks will recover