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Global equities hit new highs despite a volatile quarter driven by tariffs, shifting central bank policies and geopolitical tensions. Markets have proved resilient despite a turbulent start to the year.

Global equities hit new highs despite a volatile quarter driven by tariffs, shifting central bank policies and geopolitical tensions. Markets have proved resilient despite a turbulent start to the year.

As geopolitical events across the Middle East escalated and then defused within two weeks, bond investors are once again more focused on central bank activity, tariffs and governments’ fiscal positions.

As of early June with the S&P 500 breaking through 6,000 following the last two months of market volatility since US Liberation Day, the old market saying “Sell in May and go away” comes to mind.

Following the sharp sell-off in global equity markets around Liberation Day, we’ve witnessed a robust and broad-based recovery in global equities that has surprised many investors.

Conflict has escalated further in the Middle East following Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear assets on Friday 13 June. Oil prices lurched upwards on the news, with the benchmark front-month Brent oil future climbing 7% to $74 per barrel on the day.

Following the sharp sell-off in global equity markets around Liberation Day, we’ve witnessed a robust and broad-based recovery in global equities that has surprised many investors.

Since the late 1980s, many investors have relied on the 60/40 portfolio as a core strategy. However, this investment approach has come under pressure over the past few years.

UK inflation rose unexpectedly in April, prompting questions about the Bank of England’s next moves. Discover how trade ties and rate cuts could shape the UK’s economic outlook.

To say 2024 was all about the Magnificent 7 may seem like an exaggeration, but it is hard to overstate the impact these companies had on equity market returns last year.