News & Views

Discover how leading global brands like Microsoft, Google, Air New Zealand, and L’Oréal are stepping up their sustainability commitments—through carbon removal, climate targets, and green innovation.

Interest rate cuts in the UK and Europe, U.S. trade tensions, and shifting inflation trends shaped a volatile April. Discover how markets and sectors responded.

IMarkets rallied following a shift in U.S. trade rhetoric, boosting equities across the board. This week’s review explores the impact of easing tensions, inflation expectations, and central bank commentary. We also highlight major moves in commodities, ESG investment news from United Airlines, and the latest geopolitical developments involving Ukraine and Russia. Get insights into what’s ahead for markets with GDP and inflation data due in the coming days.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 reveals how AI, climate change, and shifting demographics are reshaping the financial advice profession. Rather than replacing advisers, technology is enhancing their role, empowering them to deliver smarter, more personalised, and values-driven advice. Discover how forward-thinking firms like Clever are adapting to thrive in this new era of finance.

In this week’s ESG in 5, Microsoft takes the lead with two major sustainability deals—boosting sustainable aviation fuel and carbon removal efforts. Viking Cruises unveils plans for the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, and TotalEnergies expands its global renewable energy footprint with acquisitions across Europe, Africa, and Canada. Stay informed with the latest ESG and sustainability news highlights.

Global markets stumbled in March amid rising inflation expectations and renewed trade tensions. The Balanced portfolio returned -2.09% as U.S. tariffs sparked fears of a trade war, prompting caution among investors. While Europe cut interest rates and inflation cooled slightly in the UK, pressure remains on central banks. Equity markets were volatile, with tech and key Asian markets underperforming, while some financial sectors showed resilience.

In this week’s ESG in 5, market challenges continue with the MSCI ACWI Universal down -0.54%. Meanwhile, major players push ahead on sustainability—Meta inks a 10-year carbon removal deal, Kleenex shifts to 100% renewable energy, Airbus recommits to hydrogen aircraft, and energy giants expand Norway’s carbon storage.

ESG gains momentum with solar deals, carbon removal, green bonds, and verified CO₂ milestones in this week’s sustainability news.

In this Weekly Market Review, U.S. markets saw a steady rebound, led by the Dow Jones, while the FTSE 100 dipped following the Bank of England’s decision to hold rates. Inflation expectations in the UK rose, adding pressure on policymakers. Meanwhile, global events—from copper price surges to Amazon’s new ESG initiative—continue to shape investor sentiment. Read on for insights into the week’s key developments across markets, central banks, and geopolitics.

Understanding self-attribution bias is key to improving financial decision-making. This bias leads us to credit success to our own skills while blaming failure on external factors. While it can protect self-esteem, it may also prevent learning from mistakes. In finance, this can result in overconfidence and missed opportunities. Becoming aware of this bias helps investors and advisers make more objective, data-driven decisions.

This week’s review highlights a mixed performance across major markets, a surprise GDP dip in the UK, moderating U.S. inflation, and central bank caution. We also explore key ESG developments, including big tech's nuclear energy pledge, and rising geopolitical tensions as Trump prepares peace talks with Putin. Plus, what to watch ahead of key Fed and Bank of England decisions.