News & Views

Global markets moved higher this week, with investor sentiment improving following a period of heightened volatility. While geopolitical tensions remain a key source of uncertainty, markets have shown resilience, supported by stabilising commodity prices and renewed confidence in growth sectors. At the same time, inflation dynamics and central bank expectations continue to shape the outlook, with investors balancing short-term risks against a more constructive medium-term bac

Sustainability continues to evolve beyond environmental ambition into a core driver of economic resilience and innovation. This week’s developments highlight how climate policy, technology and resource management are increasingly interconnected, with businesses and governments focusing on energy security, efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Markets closed the week on a more cautious footing, with geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices driving increased volatility across global assets. While UK equities showed relative resilience, US markets moved lower as investors reassessed the outlook for inflation and interest rates. With oil prices climbing and uncertainty in the Middle East continuing to evolve, attention is now turning to how these developments may feed through into inflation and central bank poli

Sustainability continues to move firmly into the mainstream, with companies and investors placing greater focus on practical, measurable climate solutions. From carbon removal and clean energy infrastructure to more detailed transition planning, ESG is increasingly centred on real-world implementation rather than long-term ambition alone. This shift reflects growing pressure for transparency, accountability and tangible progress as businesses adapt to a lower-carbon economy.

Global markets faced a challenging week, with rising geopolitical tensions and renewed inflation concerns weighing on investor sentiment. Volatility increased across asset classes as developments in the Middle East introduced fresh uncertainty around energy prices and the broader economic outlook. Against this backdrop, investors have adopted a more cautious stance, with markets increasingly sensitive to both geopolitical developments and central bank signals.

This week’s ESG in 5 highlights growing momentum behind sustainable finance and climate action globally. From a $1bn green infrastructure fund and rising demand for ESG financing in Japan to the UK’s new net-zero building standard, sustainability continues to shape investment and business strategy. Greater emissions transparency and new sustainability leadership roles also reflect how climate considerations are becoming embedded across industries and financial markets.

This week’s Clever Weekly Market Review highlights a more cautious tone across global markets, with equities moving lower amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Investors are also closely monitoring the unexpected rise in Eurozone inflation and the sharp increase in oil prices as concerns grow around potential disruptions to global energy supply. In this edition, we also explore the latest signals from central banks and EU climate policy developments.

February 2026 saw global markets advance steadily, supported by easing inflation trends and a broadly unchanged monetary policy backdrop across major economies. Central banks in the UK, US, and Eurozone opted to hold interest rates, reflecting a cautious but stabilising environment. Beneath this surface stability, however, performance diverged sharply across regions and sectors, with commodity-linked and technology-driven markets leading gains while others lagged.

This week’s ESG update highlights how businesses, financial institutions and policymakers are accelerating efforts to address climate risk and sustainability disclosure. From aviation exploring durable carbon removal and global firms targeting methane emissions, to new reporting rules in South Korea and large-scale green finance commitments from development banks, sustainability continues to move deeper into mainstream strategy, investment and regulation across global markets

This week’s Weekly Market Review highlights a more cautious tone across global markets as equities moved lower amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. We also look at the unexpected rise in Eurozone inflation, the sharp surge in oil prices driven by concerns around energy supply routes, and the latest policy signals from central banks. In addition, we explore the EU’s new long-term emissions target and the key economic data releases investors will be watching i

This week’s ESG in 5 reflects a clear shift from climate ambition to real-world execution. The UK locks in global-aligned reporting standards, Ireland advances its circular economy strategy, and major players including LEGO, Mars and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund deploy capital and technology to strengthen climate action. Sustainability is increasingly embedded in financial reporting, investment strategy and long-term value creation.