Blog

The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced on Friday as investors reacted to a softer tone from U.S. officials regarding trade negotiations with China and looked past renewed concerns in the regional banking sector. Despite midweek volatility, all three major U.S. indices closed the week higher — the S&P 500 rose 1.7%, the Dow gained 1.6%, […]

U.S. equities weakened over the week as renewed trade tensions and the prolonged government shutdown weighed on sentiment. Markets were supported early on by strong gains in AI-related companies, highlighted by the AMD–Open AI partnership, but later sold off after President Trump threatened large tariffs on Chinese goods. The shutdown entered its second week, delaying […]

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) signalled that it remains on a gradual tightening path but provided limited guidance on the timing of its next rate hike. Governor Kazuo Ueda noted that rates were left unchanged at the September meeting to maintain accommodative conditions amid U.S. tariff volatility. While the tariffs have weighed on exporters’ earnings, […]

Fed Chair Jerome Powell reiterated this week that while inflation expectations remain anchored near the Fed’s 2% target, downside risks to employment and elevated uncertainty leave policymakers without a “risk-free” policy path. He also noted that tariffs are likely to result in a one-time price adjustment spread over several quarters. U.S. equities ended Friday higher […]

Major U.S. stock indexes hit record highs during the week. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 2.21%, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.22% and 1.05%, respectively. Meanwhile, the yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note rose 6 basis points to 4.13%. The Federal Reserve lowered rates by 25 basis points on Wednesday, […]

In Europe, the ECB left rates unchanged at 2% but lifted its 2025 inflation and growth forecasts, prompting markets to assume that interest rate cuts are over in the region. German data was mixed, with exports down and factory orders weaker, though output improved. In the UK, GDP was flat in July, retail sales were […]

In response to the jobs report, futures markets tracked by the CME FedWatch tool now reflect a 100% probability of at least a 25-basis-point (0.25 percentage point) rate cut at the Fed's next meeting. The likelihood of a 50-basis-point cut increased from 0% to roughly 10% following the data. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year […]

The U.S. has raised tariffs on most Indian imports to 50%, doubling the previous rate and extending them to sectors including garments, jewellery, seafood, and furniture. The decision, effective 27 August, is linked to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil, which Washington argues help fund the Ukraine war and undermine sanctions. Analysts estimate the tariffs […]

UK annual inflation rose to 3.8% in July, the highest in 18 months, fuelled by higher food and airfare costs. Services inflation, a key gauge for the Bank of England, also climbed to 5.0% from 4.7%. On the market front, the UK’s FTSE 100 Index reached a record high this week, climbing 2.00%. In Europe, […]

In the UK, GDP growth surprised on the upside, with the economy expanding 0.4% in June and 0.3% for the second quarter, ahead of expectations but slower than earlier in the year. The labour market cooled slightly but remained stable - unemployment held at 4.7% while wage growth slowed. Retail sales softened and housing sentiment […]