February ended dramatically with joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran killing Ayatollah Khamenei, sparking a repricing of risk assets as oil surged on Strait of Hormuz closure fears and inflation expectations jumped, taking rate cuts off the table. Beneath the geopolitical shock, markets told a broader story: ex-US equities outperformed significantly
The week’s dominant theme across regions was geopolitical energy shock → inflation risk → market volatility, all reshaping expectations for monetary policy and growth globally. Download PDF
The US–Israel strikes on Iran, including the killing of its supreme leader, have sharply escalated conflict and energy risks, provoking global condemnation, fears of wider war, and increased volatility in oil markets and financial conditions. Download PDF
The dominant financial theme was a sharp escalation in global trade tensions driven by new US tariffs, which disrupted global supply chains, weakened trade outlooks, and reshaped relative competitiveness between major economies. Download PDF
Global markets were increasingly driven by political developments, especially Japan’s election stimulus, UK political instability, and China’s Treasury positioning, while resilient economic growth and AI-led equity strength supported overall market performance. Download PDF
Global financial markets began 2026 with broadly constructive sentiment, as risk assets advanced while investors remained attentive to macroeconomic and geopolitical crosscurrents. Equities posted solid gains, supported by improving risk appetite, a weaker US dollar, and strength in select technology-linked segments, which contributed to notable outperformance in several non-US developed and emerging
Geopolitical risk, driven primarily by shifting US trade and security policy, has become the dominant force shaping global markets, alliances, and economic decisions across regions. Download PDF
Geopolitical risk, driven primarily by shifting US trade and security policy, has become the dominant force shaping global markets, alliances, and economic decisions across regions. Download PDF
Geopolitical risk, driven primarily by shifting US trade and security policy, has become the dominant force shaping global markets, alliances, and economic decisions across regions. Download PDF