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 the total value wiped off the global equities market in the past quarter?

How did the recent quarter compare to previous quarters in terms of market performance?

What factors contributed to the decline in the energy sector during the past quarter?

What was the significance of the VIX spike mentioned in the text?

What differing opinions did JP Morgan strategists have regarding the market outlook?