Market Updates

Global equity markets recovered their poise last week and painted a positive picture as investors shrugged off concerns over the potential impact of coronavirus.

Global equities reversed some of the previous week’s losses, with the STOXX Europe 600 Index making new all-time highs and closing up 3.3%, whilst the S&P 500 Index posted its biggest weekly gain since June last year.

Last week was understandably jittery for global equity markets as the coronavirus dominated investor focus. Markets were volatile around headlines coming out of China, and overall indices trended lower.

Global equities were in risk-off mode last week as caution rose over the spread of a deadly virus. Market commentators were quick to reflect on the SARS epidemic from 2003 as evidence of the economic impact of a similarly deadly infection.

Global equities were resilient last week amidst a few developing themes. US and European markets hit fresh all-time highs.

Renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran weighed on equities at the start of the week as investors awaited the next move.

Equity markets struggled for direction last week as uncertainty over US-China trade talks weighed on sentiment.

Concerns over trade and UK politics have bubbled away throughout the past year, and with progress in both of these areas last week, markets received a welcome boost.

This week there are a number of interesting events that could shape equity market performances into year-end and possibly beyond.

Last week was fairly sleepy for global equity markets as the US Thanksgiving holiday saw reduced market volumes and newsflow.