Global markets Overall it was a week of further consolidation for global equity markets, with the S&P 500 down modestly for the second week in a row. With real activity data remaining unquestionably strong (the U.S. Markit composite PMI index hit a record 68.1 in May), …

Global markets Inflation and interest rates fears caused global equities to buckle last week as commodity prices marched higher and U.S. consumer price inflation surprised on the upside. By week’s end, however, conditions had settled down somewhat – with investors prepared to back the view that …

Global markets It was a case of ‘bad news is good news’ again in global markets last week, with equities enjoying a boost from weaker than expected U.S. economic data which appeared to reduce the risk of high inflation and interest rates any time soon. The …

Global markets Global equities struggled to move higher last week even in the face of good economic, policy and earnings news – suggesting an element of ‘buyer’s exhaustion’ has perhaps crept into the market. Is all the good news now priced into the market? Is there …

Global markets Concern over rising COVID cases in hotspots such as Japan, Brazil and India set global equities back last week as did talk of a proposed hike in the U.S. capital gains tax for high-income earners. The end result was a small weekly pullback in …

Global markets Another week, another rise in global equities it seems – helped on by ongoing solid economic growth and, most recently, a reassuring pullback in global bond yields. Indeed, last week’s much anticipated U.S. consumer price index report came and went without a murmur from …

Solid U.S. economic growth indicators, along with dovish Fed comments, continued to support global equities last week – helped by a further stabilisation in bond yields despite simmering U.S. inflation concerns. The U.S. ISM service sector index soared to 63.7 in March (from a …

Global equities pushed on to new record highs last week as bond yields remained relatively well contained despite ongoing strong U.S. economic news. After harsh winter weather held back sections of the economy in February, early March U.S. economic data has been blisteringly strong. The …

Global markets Despite new lockdowns in Germany, risk-on sentiment improved last week thanks to a stablisation in bond yields, U.S. inflation relief, further progress in the U.S. vaccine rollout, and new freedoms for U.S. banks to pay dividends and buy back stock. U.S. Fed chair Powell spoke …

Global markets Global equities wilted under under the onslaught of further bond yield increases last week, with the Federal Reserve opting not to respond with bond supportive policy measures in last week’s meeting. Indeed, under pressure from Democrats not to water down banking regulation, the Fed …