STOCK MARKET REPORT by CEO Silvano Grimaldi of the independent asset management company GRIMALDI & PARTNERS Ltd.

STOCK MARKET REPORT by CEO Silvano Grimaldi of the independent asset management company GRIMALDI & PARTNERS AG

MONTHLY REVIEW

The international stock markets ended the month of MARCH with gains.

DRIVING FACTORS

Hope for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The relaxation in the energy sector gives investors a sigh of relief.

EQUITIES IN FOCUS

AMAZON announces share split and share buyback

The world's largest online retailer Amazon is planning its first stock split in 23 years. The plan is to give shareholders 19 additional share certificates for one share. Trading is scheduled to begin on June 6th. At the same time, the Seattle-based company announced that its board of directors had approved a $10 billion share buyback program. Amazon shares rose more than 7 percent in after-hours trading. So far this year, the paper has lost around 16 percent in value.

"The stock split will give our employees more flexibility in managing their equity and the share price will be more affordable for people who want to invest in our company," said a company spokesman. The stock market value has almost doubled in the past two years - and thus since the beginning of the corona-related boom.

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, announced a share split last month. Apple, Tesla and Nvidia have also done this since 2020.

MONTHLY OUTLOOK

The Ukraine war will last longer than expected.

The recently sharp rise in energy prices and the resulting inflation may fuel concerns about a weaker economy. In addition, the prospect of higher interest rates due to high inflation is currently limiting the recovery potential of share prices.

We expect a sideways trend for April.

STOCK RECOMMENDATION