News blog

History indicates that (geo)political events can lead to an initial overreaction on financial markets. Yet, despite ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, global equity markets do not seem to adopt an excessively cautious stance and have shown resilience. The current lack of extreme volatility on risky assets suggests that investors do not overestimate, at this stage, the risk of further escalation in the Middle East. 

On 18 June, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to hold the federal funds rate unchanged. They also released new economic forecasts, predicting weaker growth, higher inflation and higher unemployment for the year. Interest rate projections show a split among policymakers. Ten officials expect at least two rate cuts before the end of 2025, while seven foresee no rate cuts this year. 

Financial markets have continued their recovery since the trade war sell-off. Equity markets are closing in on all-time highs while credit spreads have steadily decreased. Although we are closing in on the negotiation deadline for trade deals in July, investors are expecting de-escalation. We are confident with our current positioning amidst this uncertainty and remain neutral on equities and modestly overweight on bonds. Meanwhile, our strategic position in gold helps with diversification.

Israel-Iran attacks extend to four days, adding another layer of uncertainty for investors. So far, investors’ reactions remain quite muted. Volatility in financial markets did not increase significantly, except for the oil market which is taking centre stage.

In Belgium, ABN AMRO Private Banking will enter a new chapter and adopt the name ABN AMRO MeesPierson. By doing so, the private bank not only aligns the private banking business of its Belgian branch with the strong brand in the Netherlands, but also confirms its increased focus on Belgian entrepreneurs. With this repositioning, ABN AMRO underlines its long-term vision on private banking and profiles itself no longer solely as an asset manager, but as a committed advisory partner at every pivotal stage in the lives of high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial families.

After years of devoting yourself to your business, there comes the moment when you step back. How can you handle this process efficiently and effectively? Kris Dewinter, Head of Corporate Finance Belgium, and Dieter Verbeek, Executive Director Wealth Management Flanders, share their insights for a successful business handover. Whether you wish to keep your business in the family, or are thinking about external investors, Kris and Dieter emphasise why timely preparation and clear agreements are essential during this complex process.

The economy continues to grow in the second half of 2025, but at a slower pace. And much is still uncertain about US trade policy. Want to know more? You will find explanations and insights from our experts in the videos and articles of the Investment Strategy. Erik Joly, Chief Investment Officer briefly summarises The Big Picture for you below. You can also click through to our Investment Strategy 2025 to read the in-depth articles.