Everything you need to know, Simplified! A tale of two markets: the balance of optimism and anxiety Summary Markets were pulled in different directions last week, with encouraging economic data and robust earnings competing against rising geopolitical tensions and concerns around artificial intelligence (AI)-related investments Continued US-Iran hostilities kept oil prices elevated, initially pushing bond yields higher as investors worried about renewed inflation pressures Ho

Everything you need to know, Simplified! Markets stay calm as politics, oil and inflation risks keep pressure on bonds Summary A quiet week for markets, but a busy one for sport – equity indices ended broadly unchanged and bond yields pushed higher, against a backdrop of Wimbledon and England's quarter-final success US–Iran ceasefire collapsed, lifting oil prices and inflation concerns, but markets stayed sceptical of a material escalation given little US appetite to be drawn

Everything you need to know, Simplified! Markets rise, but investors keep one eye on politics and policy Summary Many UK investors head into the week in a celebratory mood as England progress to the World Cup quarterfinals, capping a generally constructive week for markets Global equities ended the week higher, despite a mid-week chipmaker selloff, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) overcapacity fears European and UK stocks outperformed, insulated from AI fears by their l

Everything you need to know, Simplified! The AI reality check: a warning from Korea's rally Summary The Bloomberg Korea Large & Mid Cap index surged over 422% at its peak from the April 2025 tariff-related low, driven almost entirely by Samsung and SK Hynix, which together accounted for 75% of the index The rally left valuations looking increasingly stretched, with Korea representing the clearest example of where the AI trade has gone too far - the index fell 7% last week Kor