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President Donald Trump’s chaotic rollout of tariffs has had an enormous impact across asset classes this year. But none have felt the impact as much as the dollar, which got off to its worst first half of the year in more than half a century.

In early 2025, the Trump administration, continuing its “America First” agenda, sought to upend the decades-old global trade order by introducing sweeping tariffs on the US’s largest trading partners.

Discover more about blue bonds, their unique features, why they appeal to sustainability-focused investors and how they are being used to fund London’s sewage infrastructure.

Looking solely at equity market performance, it’s easy to see how one could argue the British economy is primed for solid growth. This week, we dig into the domestic economy to see what lies beneath the surface and why the outlook is more challenging.

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.