News & Views

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.

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 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.