Week ending 10th October 2025

Markets ended the week in negative territory, as shown in the accompanying table, despite a strong start driven by optimism around artificial intelligence and robust performance from technology stocks. Investors initially shrugged off concerns surrounding the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, with sentiment buoyed by a sharp rally in Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Market Update - 8th October 2025

Across the Eurozone, retail activity showed only marginal improvement in August, inching up by 0.1% - a weaker outcome than most economists had predicted. Year-on-year, sales were 1% higher, pointing to a modest degree of resilience in consumer spending.

Week ending 3rd October 2025

As you can see from the accompanying table it was a broadly positive week for global financial markets, as investors looked past political gridlock in Washington and instead rode a wave of optimism surrounding artificial intelligence and technology stocks.

Market Update - 1st October 2025

Recent comments from Bank of Japan officials opened the door to further rate hikes, but fresh data may temper that stance. Industrial output fell 1.2% in August (worse than expected) driven by a sharp 5.7% drop in electrical machinery production following July’s surge.

Week ending 26th September 2025

Global markets were mixed last week, with U.S. stocks pulling back as hawkish central bank commentary tempered investor optimism following recent gains. Major U.S. indices ended the week slightly lower, reflecting cautious sentiment after Federal Reserve officials dampened expectations for further rate cuts.

Market Update - 24th September 2025

Markets adopted a subdued tone this week as investors faced a limited flow of economic data. One notable development was news that US–India trade talks may become more complicated by the issue of India’s purchases of Russian oil - an unusual factor, given that such negotiations typically exclude third-party relationships.