July was volatile but generally positive for risk assets. Global equities rose modestly as solid earnings and AI optimism outweighed geopolitical and valuation concerns, while government bonds weakened amid higher oil prices, renewed inflation fears and hawkish central-bank guidance. Energy markets surged following disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, with
Weaker US employment shifted markets towards a more cautious interest-rate outlook, but persistent energy and geopolitical risks kept inflation concerns alive – leaving investors caught between slowing global growth and sticky inflation. Download PDF
The final week of July was dominated by central bank decisions and key macroeconomic data, with investors focusing on the Federal Reserve, Bank of England and Bank of Japan alongside GDP, inflation and PMI releases. Markets were also influenced by easing Middle East tensions, which pushed oil prices lower and