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.

Markets held firm last week despite fresh US trade tariff headlines, with the FTSE 100 leading gains. This Weekly Market Review covers the latest UK economic contraction, a record-breaking copper rally, steady inflation expectations, and updates from central banks and global politics. Plus, we look ahead to key inflation data from the US, UK, and EU this week.

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.