Markets danced between resilience and fragility, as strong US growth and AI optimism clashed with inflation stickiness, political volatility in Europe, and speculative surges in China. Central banks now face a delicate balancing act heading into September, with rate cuts, fiscal discipline, and global trade tensions all in play.
18 Aug 2025
Key Jackson Hole meetings
Markets are buoyed by hopes of monetary easing- particularly in the US- and temporary trade respite. But beneath the surface, worrisome signs-including inflation divergence, economic deceleration in China, political risks in Japan, and geopolitical tensions-signal a cautious road ahead for global finance.
11 Aug 2025
Equity exuberance
Central banks in the US, UK, and EU signalled shifting policy stances amid soft data, inflation concerns, and trade pressures, driving rate-cut bets and market repositioning. Globally, geopolitical flashpoints and weak Chinese economic signals shaped investor sentiment and capital flows.
4 Aug 2025
5-Year Italian Bond Yields Now Trade below France
Global markets rallied early on trade leniency before capitulating on US economic weakness and tariff uncertainty – marking the fraught tone for emerging market sentiment.
28 Jul 2025
Calm down
Equity markets surged to new all-time highs in response to strong quarterly earnings, a major US-Japan trade deal, and growing optimism around US trade negotiations with the EU and other partners. These developments drove record performances across indices like the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and FTSE, helping offset concerns around tariffs and economic uncertainty.
21 Jul 2025
The comeback of active management? Why 2025 could be a turning point
Markets are riding high on tech and AI momentum – but sustained by fragile undercurrents: inflation pressures, escalating tariff threats and political uncertainty suggest recent gains may face turbulence ahead.
14 Jul 2025
Underperformance of UK Investment Trusts versus equities
Despite aggressive tariff threats from the US, global markets remained resilient, bolstered by record high stock indicies, robust AI sector inflows, strong earnings, and postponed tariff deadlines, highlighting investor confidence even as trade policy risks loom.
7 Jul 2025
Not-so-magnificent banks
Global financial markets were buoyed by strong equity rallies, easing trade tensions, and resilient growth in some regions, but lingering risks from looming US tariffs, persistent inflation, and financial market fragmentation kept investor caution elevated.
