Risk assets were once again on the rise in July and several asset classes broke records. Last week, the S&P 500 reached an all-time high, while the spot VIX index reached an all-time low. The MSCI World (net total return local currency index) is up for the ninth month in a row, which was unseen since 1987.

Risk assets range-traded before rallying after Yellen's dovish testimony before Congress and amid positive economic prints in the U.S. and Eurozone. Releases in the U.S. suggested healthy activity and job growth.

All strategies were up last week. Hedge funds captured the upside which was a function of the protections implemented ahead of the French vote. Special Situations outperformed, as their cyclical and turnaround positions surged. CTAs' strong long equity exposure offset losses in their short Euro and in their long Euro bonds.

QuantHouse, the global provider of advanced trading solutions, today announced that Metori Capital Management has selected QuantFACTORY to automate its trading portfolio.

The accumulation of (geo)political risks sent markets on the haven side. Ten days before the first French election round, the outcome remains ever more uncertain. The advance in polls of the two lead contenders is eroding. Meanwhile, the resilience of the center-right and the breakthrough of the far-left candidate suggest a speculative four-players-game...