Markets rose from their lows of last week on Monday (27 February) after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reached a new trade deal with the European Commission president after four months of negotiations.

Markets got off to a slow start this week with the US markets closed on Monday for Presidents Day.

Markets focus this week remained heavily on US and UK CPI data.

Global equity markets have had a positive start to the week thanks to better-than-expected company earning statements and comments from the Fed Chair, Jay Powell.

Investors continue to weigh on comments from Fed officials this week whilst keeping a close eye on corporate earnings.

There has been a lot of economic data releases so far this week whilst trading has been low with the US market closed on Monday to mark Martin Luther King Day.

Markets had a strong start to the year.

The UK’s FTSE 100 touched its highest level since 2018.

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) surprised markets on Tuesday with an unexpected change to its bond yield control. The Yen rallied following the decision, allowing Japan’s 10-year bond yields to rise to around 0.5%, up from the previous limit of 0.25% which will enable long-term interest rates to rise.

Investor sentiment was boosted this week, as commodity markets and oil prices gained on the prospect of increased demand from China

China’s football fans are feeling a little left out as the rest of the world comes together mask free, to cheer on their respective teams at the World Cup in Qatar.