News & Views

This week’s ESG highlights showcase progress across renewable energy, recycling, and sustainable innovation. From IKEA investing in circular plastics in China to AWS backing new wind power in India, Trane advancing AI for greener buildings, and Seaspan partnering on cleaner marine fuels, companies worldwide are taking bold steps to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Global equities hit record highs last week, though momentum faded by Friday. Investors now turn to the Fed’s Jackson Hole meeting for clarity on interest rates, while economic resilience in the UK and geopolitical shifts add to the week’s outlook.

Behavioural finance reveals a harsh truth: the biggest risk to an investor’s success is often themselves. The disposition effect—selling winners too soon and holding losers too long, is a common trap driven by emotion, not logic. Neuroscience shows how dopamine and fear shape our decisions, making discipline and strategy essential for long-term success.

Markets rallied in July 2025 as trade tensions eased and central banks diverged in policy direction. A new US–EU tariff agreement boosted investor confidence, while global equities surged—led by Hong Kong and Thailand. Despite inflationary pressures, diversified portfolios benefited from strong sector performance in Financials and Technology.

This week’s ESG roundup covers regulatory action, sustainable innovation, and major investment in clean energy. From Shein’s greenwashing fine in Italy to Meta’s push to reduce embodied carbon in data centres, and HSBC’s high-profile exit from a major climate alliance, we bring you the key developments shaping the ESG landscape in under five minutes.

Last week saw markets react to ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, stubborn inflation dynamics, and central bank hesitation. From renewed tariff tensions to steady interest rate decisions, global investors navigated a cautious landscape. In this week’s review, we explore key market movements, policy updates, and the latest in ESG and geopolitical developments to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve.

Global markets in July showed resilience but faced sharp volatility. Strong earnings and steady growth lifted equities in the U.S., UK, Eurozone, and Japan, yet trade tensions, rising public debt, and mixed inflation created uncertainty. Bond yields climbed, currencies weakened in key regions, and late-month policy concerns reminded investors how quickly sentiment can shift.

Clean energy, ethical fashion, and EV expansion take centre stage as Google backs next-gen storage, Meta powers data centres with solar, and bp opens its largest US charging hub. Meanwhile, top Indian designers pledge to go feather-free in a major win for compassionate couture.

Markets gained on fresh trade optimism, while central banks signalled a cautious stance on further rate cuts. ESG headlines saw major investment in green hydrogen, and geopolitical tensions with China remain in focus. All eyes now turn to earnings season and the ECB’s next move.

This week’s ESG headlines highlight major strides in clean energy and decarbonisation. INEOS makes a bold move toward hydrogen-powered chemical production in the UK, while Palo Alto Networks doubles down on carbon removal tech. In the US, Sol Systems secures a massive funding deal to scale solar and storage projects, and the UK government unveils a £63 million push to boost EV infrastructure.

Markets showed mixed signals last week, as investor optimism clashed with rising inflation and geopolitical unease. Tech-heavy US indices saw gains on central bank reassurance, while UK inflation and European trade tensions tempered global confidence. With earnings season heating up and key central bank meetings on the horizon, this week is set to test the resilience of markets - and policy makers alike.