Market Updates

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.

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

Equity markets edged higher again last week, but gains were smaller than in recent weeks and there was a more cautious feel to sentiment.

Last week saw further gains for equity markets as hopes of a US/China trade deal continued to build. In Europe, elections in Spain and the campaign trail in the United Kingdom were in focus.

Global equities were higher across the board last week, with US markets making all-time highs and European equities hitting a 22-month record. The Asia Pacific (APAC) region also fared well.

As the third-quarter earnings season got into full swing, global equities ground steadily higher last week with no clear macro drivers. In Europe, UK equities outperformed as sterling remained weak.

European equities made small gains last week, with help from improved sentiment on Brexit and trade progress. US markets were also mostly higher.

Last week proved to be positive for global equities as sentiment improved not only around the chances of a trade deal between the United States and China, but also on Brexit.