News & Views

This week, equity markets moved lower overall, with technology stocks seeing the sharpest falls. UK inflation rose to 3.50%, while oil prices remained elevated and attention turned to a busy week ahead, with the UK Budget and interest-rate decisions from both the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank.

Markets ended the week mixed, with the Dow Jones and FTSE 100 gaining ground while technology shares declined. Meanwhile, closer UK-EU ties, rising US inflation expectations and growing concerns over climate-related financial risks featured among this week's developments.

Explore September 2026 market performance as AI boosts technology stocks, inflation drives interest rate rises, and developed and emerging markets diverge.

Markets ended the week mixed, with the Dow Jones and FTSE 100 gaining ground while technology shares declined. Meanwhile, closer UK-EU ties, rising US inflation expectations and growing concerns over climate-related financial risks featured among this week's developments.

US technology shares led markets higher last week, while UK equities slipped as energy costs and inflation remained in focus. Record diesel prices added to pressure on households and businesses, while rising US inflation expectations highlighted concerns over the outlook for interest rates. This week, attention turns to US jobs data and Eurozone inflation for further insight into the balance between growth and price pressures.

August saw market leadership broaden beyond big tech, with commodities, European equities and selected emerging markets taking the lead. As higher energy prices renewed inflation concerns, the Balanced portfolio benchmark returned 1.46%. Our latest Monthly Market Review explores what drove returns, how the interest-rate outlook is evolving and why diversification remains in focus.

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.

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

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.

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.