Posts Tagged stock markets

We enter 2026 with US stocks dominating the global market while trading on expensive valuations. A small number of tech stocks account for a large portion of US returns and they are increasingly tied to the fortunes of the AI industry. These are certainly risks to be aware of.

Stocks had a small dip in November, before recovering back towards their previous highs. The longest US government shutdown in history had a negative effect, before coming to an abrupt end and allowing stocks to rally.

Another month, another gain for stock markets. It can’t continue like this forever and there are clear signs of profit-taking in some of the most popular trades. This feels like a test to see whether a renewed bout of “buy-the-dip” behaviour will drive stocks to fresh highs once the US government re-opens.

Stocks are at record highs and have now risen for five months in a row. Such a hot streak is quite rare, happening only 11 times since 2009. An artificial intelligence (AI) investment boom is at the heart of the rally.

August followed a familiar path with stocks rising for the fourth month in a row. A number of factors are supporting the market, including interest rate cuts from the US and UK, a massive increase in US fiscal stimulus through President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” and a significant decline in the value of the US dollar

2025 is proving to be a case study for those who believe time in the market is more important than timing the market.

2025 has been a very noisy year so far. Important news has come thick and fast, be it related to trade tariffs, defence spending, artificial intelligence or other themes.

The mood among institutional investors has deteriorated in recent weeks, due to US-centric concerns. Trade tariffs, sticky inflation and slowing growth are the dominant topics of conversation.

The re-election of Donald Trump to the US Presidency has caused another large rise in US stocks, which were already doing very well. Indeed, his “America first” ideology is reflected in the way US stocks have outperformed others recently.

The cost of borrowing has risen sharply in the past few weeks for the UK and US governments. This has caused stock markets to pause for breath after making strong gains.

Asia remains the centre of attention on the back of a major Chinese stimulus program which has triggered a sharp rally in its stocks. This comes after two months where Japan experienced significant currency volatility and a “flash crash” in its stocks.

2024 always promised to be a busy year for elections, with one half of the world’s population heading to the polls. As far as financial markets are concerned, political surprises have now bubbled up in several countries within a short period of time. With much still to be decided by voters, there is greater uncertainty in the short-term investment outlook. However, inflation remains on a declining path in the UK, US and Europe, while economic growth appears strong.