News & Views

Rising energy costs kept inflation and interest rates firmly in focus, as the ECB announced a rate increase and US wholesale inflation accelerated. This week’s review also explores the financial fallout from UK flight disruption, escalating US–Canada trade tensions and new sustainability guidance for advisers. Looking ahead, decisions from the Federal Reserve and Bank of England take centre stage alongside key economic data.

From household solar and corporate reporting reform to coffee supply chains and natural capital, discover five ESG developments shaping business and investment.

Markets remained broadly flat as oil prices climbed, Eurozone inflation rose and investors looked ahead to the ECB’s latest interest-rate decision.

This week’s ESG in 5 explores how governments, companies and financial institutions are supporting the transition to a lower-carbon economy. Developments include Greece’s €4.77 billion Social Climate Plan, legalised plug-in solar panels across Great Britain, Philips’ first European Green Bond and a new green shipping partnership between Singapore and Brazil.

US equity markets rebounded over the week, led by technology stocks, while UK shares finished slightly lower. Investors remained focused on renewed energy-driven inflation pressures, rising government bond yields and the prospect of further interest-rate increases. This week’s review also examines record ocean temperatures, Nepal’s flood-recovery challenge and the key economic releases ahead.

Wildfire risk, cleaner concrete, water investment, climate legislation and a $4 billion sustainable bond lead this week’s ESG developments.

UK equities outperformed as US technology shares fell, while higher inflation, rising commodity prices and geopolitical tensions shaped the week’s market outlook.

Political leadership may change, but reacting to headlines can undermine long-term investment plans. We explore why disciplined, diversified portfolios are generally more resilient than decisions based on political predictions.

From early-stage climate research to billion-dollar infrastructure and manufacturing commitments, this week’s ESG in 5 shows capital moving across every stage of the transition. Google is backing emerging carbon solutions, SSE and CIP are mobilising large pools of finance, Samsung is adapting battery capacity, and PepsiCo is reporting progress across emissions, agriculture, packaging and water.

Markets delivered a mixed week, with technology shares edging higher while UK and US blue-chip stocks lost ground. Investors balanced softer US inflation against renewed oil-price pressure, extreme weather risks and increasingly difficult choices for central banks. This week’s review also examines Lloyds’ £100 billion sustainable finance target and the geopolitical tensions reshaping global alliances.

July saw market leadership broaden beyond technology, with UK equities, commodity-linked markets and selected emerging markets delivering strong returns. However, renewed energy-driven inflation pressures kept central banks cautious, while a sharp correction in semiconductor and AI-related stocks weighed on technology-focused markets. Against this mixed backdrop, the Balanced portfolio benchmark returned -0.45% during the month.