The week’s dominant theme across regions was geopolitical energy shock → inflation risk → market volatility, all reshaping expectations for monetary policy and growth globally.
2 Mar 2026
US excep-tionalism
The US–Israel strikes on Iran, including the killing of its supreme leader, have sharply escalated conflict and energy risks, provoking global condemnation, fears of wider war, and increased volatility in oil markets and financial conditions.
23 Feb 2026
Dollar Dips, EM Flips
The dominant financial theme was a sharp escalation in global trade tensions driven by new US tariffs, which disrupted global supply chains, weakened trade outlooks, and reshaped relative competitiveness between major economies.
16 Feb 2026
Digital Gold? Not yet.
Global markets were increasingly driven by political developments, especially Japan’s election stimulus, UK political instability, and China’s Treasury positioning, while resilient economic growth and AI-led equity strength supported overall market performance.
9 Feb 2026
From peaks to pits: Silver’s roller coaster
Global markets saw mixed volatility with major US indices rebounding sharply, crypto and commodities fluctuating. Emerging markets show resilience with regional cooperation and positive trade balances, but geopolitical risks continue to shape investment sentiment.
2 Feb 2026
Great expectations
Political and policy uncertainty, led by US domestic shifts, Europe’s regulatory and defence push, and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Asia, has become the dominant force steering global markets, capital flows, and risk sentiment.
26 Jan 2026
Nothing to see here
Geopolitical risk, driven primarily by shifting US trade and security policy, has become the dominant force shaping global markets, alliances, and economic decisions across regions.
19 Jan 2026
The extraordinary rise in long dated bond yields
Global markets were rattled by escalating US tariff threats, political pressure on central banks, and rising geopolitical tensions, offset partly by resilient Chinese markets and strong UK gilt performance, as investors rotated defensively amid elections, sanctions, and strained transatlantic relations.
