News & Views

This week’s market review highlights a more uneven backdrop across global markets, with UK equities edging higher while US technology stocks came under pressure. Inflation concerns remain closely tied to rising oil prices and renewed Middle East tensions, while central bank debate, evolving ESG disclosure rules and the ongoing war in Ukraine continue to shape investor sentiment.

Markets ended September with diverging performances, as UK equities outpaced global peers while U.S. indices split between industrial strength and tech weakness. Safe-haven demand lifted gold to new records, while oil prices fluctuated on supply headlines. Central bankers struck a cautious tone, with the Bank of England signalling confidence in disinflation and the ECB describing inflation as “reasonably benign.”

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.