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This week saw further weakness within investment markets as the Federal Reserve (Fed) and Bank of England (BoE) both raised interest rates in the face of spiralling inflation. Whilst the rise was widely expected, the 0.75% increase in the States was the largest there since 1994. In the UK, interest rates increased for the fifth…

It has been a lower week for investment markets as concerns over weakening economic sentiment and high inflation persist. Following months of inflation climbing significantly above target, the European Central Bank (ECB) set out plans on Thursday to end its eight-year policy of negative interest rates. The bank announced that it will stop its bond…

A mixed week for equity markets as sentiment swung back and forth almost daily. Investors are trying to interpret the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) next move as it continues to tighten monetary policy in the coming months to combat inflation. Minutes from their latest meeting were released on Wednesday, which showed that policymakers agreed that half…

Global equity markets were lower this week. With the mood already sombre, when US inflation data surprised on the upside it prompted further selling of risk assets as concerns increased about the pace of possible interest-rate rises. Although US consumer prices fell from 8.5% to 8.3%, it was higher than expectations of 8.1% and remains…

With inflation soaring and central bankers playing catch up, it was highly likely interest rates were going to increase this week. The question was though, by just how much? In the US, the Federal Reserve announced on Wednesday night a 0.5% increase to a range of 0.75% to 1% and closer to home on Thursday…

Reporting season continued at pace this week. The mega-cap technology names announced a mixed bag, with Alphabet missing analysts’ estimates, Microsoft beating theirs, and Meta (formerly Facebook) rocketing 17% on Thursday as user numbers returned to growth. Closer to home, GlaxoSmithKline reported a year-on-year 71% growth in profits in the quarter to the end of…

The first-quarter earnings season gathered pace this week. Whilst overall the trend so far has been positive, pricing power is key as profit margins are squeezed with businesses facing cost pressures from rising inflation. The biggest high-profile loser was Netflix, which saw its share price tumble 35% on Wednesday. Netflix user numbers fell by 200k,…

Investment markets were broadly higher this week. Talks continued in Ukraine and the oil price fell on news the US will release a record amount of its reserves. This measure will help to alleviate some major supply issues as countries continue to search for alternatives to Russian oil. Against the uncertain backdrop in recent months,…