The US implemented a naval blockade on Iranian ports last Monday following failed peace negotiations in Pakistan. Oil prices briefly surpassed $100 per barrel but have since settled back down to around the $96 mark. Iran exported more than 1.8 million barrels per day...

Market sentiment improved last Wednesday after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, agreed in exchange for the safe passage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude fell sharply on the announcement, dropping around 15% to...

Once again, developments in the Middle East and announcements from the US administration in relation to the conflict continued to dominate global market headlines. Comments made at the start of last week suggested that an end to the war could be in sight, and this...

The war in the Middle East has now entered its fourth week, with knock-on effects rippling through global markets. Oil prices remain highly volatile as investors are trying to price in the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the war and the speed at which...

The conflict in the Middle East dominated the news again last week, as energy prices have continued to rise and equity markets have gone further into the red. European gas prices rose 30% last Thursday morning after the news broke that an Iranian missile had hit...

Last week's focus remained on the developing situation in the Middle East. Since the conflict began on 28th February, markets have become increasingly sensitive to the resulting energy shock. The Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, meaning flows through a passage...

The headlines last week were dominated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Shipping traffic flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil bottlenecks in the world, has effectively come to a standstill. When operating as normal, the...

On Friday 20th February, the US Supreme Court ruled that the majority of the tariffs imposed by the US government last year were illegal and in breach of a 1977 law (the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) designed to address national emergencies only. The US...

The price of Brent crude oil has risen above $70 for the first time in almost seven months, following talks between the US and Iran in Geneva last week. The negotiations have centred around constraining Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for US sanctions relief....

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi secured the largest ever majority in the lower house of parliament following her snap election last Sunday. The outcome surpassed even the own party's expectations, and will allow Takaichi to enact her mandate's economically...

One of the most notable stories last week centred on the decision announced recently by the US administration to nominate Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. Despite being widely anticipated by markets, the decision resulted in drawdowns for key US indices...

A significant trade agreement between the European Union ('EU') and India was agreed last week. The deal has been labelled as the largest deal either side has ever made and is expected to reduce tariffs on c.95% of all EU exports to India, creating a tariff reduction...

Last week, the financial press was dominated by the evolving situation between the US and the EU regarding the sovereignty of Greenland. Markets initially reacted negatively to suggestions by the US administration over the weekend that tariff policies could be...

Markets have remained broadly unphased over the last couple of weeks despite rising geopolitical tensions. Oil prices remain a key focus for investors, with both US plans to begin extracting oil from Venezuela's vast reserves and the unclear situation in the Iran...

Review of 2025 Markets remain resilient 2025 was a rollercoaster year, with geopolitical events introducing volatility in markets throughout the year. The most significant event over the year in markets was the introduction of new US import tariffs in April, which...

A Bank of America survey has emerged showing that the average cash holdings of investment funds are at their lowest ever levels, highlighting fund managers' optimism about the current market environment. This comes despite recent concerns about a potential AI bubble...

Tensions between the US and Venezuela rose last week after the US administration seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela because the ship was "used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran". This seizure further heightened existing political...

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine continued last week, though no significant progress has been made.  Representatives from both the EU and US have continued to work towards a solution, despite accusations from Russian representatives' that compromises are not...

The most significant story last week was the UK Budget announced on Wednesday by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. There were no major surprises, with signposted changes to pension salary sacrifice schemes, the two-child benefit cap and higher taxes on gambling companies...