October 2026 - Market review
UK Pressure on the Chancellor: against a backdrop of surging bond yields and higher oil prices, UK investors became increasingly preoccupied by the possible measures that might be contained in the Labour government’s forthcoming Budget on 28 October. Inflationary pressures drove up government borrowing to £18.3 billion during August, compounding pressure on Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey. Triple lock set to end: Prime Minister Andy Burnham revealed plans to remove t
September 2026 - Market review
UK Mid-caps lead blue chips: the FTSE 100 Index underperformed many of its major global counterparts during August. The blue-chip index’s performance was dampened partly by weakness in commodity-related and banking sectors, and by its low exposure to technology- and AI-related companies, while rising bond yields reduced the appeal of some of the major dividend payers. During August, the FTSE 100 Index fell by 0.4%. In contrast, the more domestically focused FTSE 250 Index hit
August 2026 - Market review
UK Domestic and international uncertainty: July saw UK investors navigating a shifting landscape, which domestic political developments, doubts about the long-term strength of the AI boom, and renewed tensions in the Middle East all competed for attention. Renewed conflict between the US and Iran drove up the yield on the ten-year gilt to over 5% for the first time since May. Meanwhile, the price of Brent crude oil climbed above US$100 per barrel, stoking concerns over the ou