News & Insights

The FTSE 100 Index, launched way back in 1984, was the standout performer in February breaking through the 8,000 barrier for the first time. In contrast, after a generally positive start to the year, most other global equity markets were hit by lingering volatility, which saw the S&P USD 500 Index decline by nearly 2.5%.

After suffering their worst year since the global financial crisis, equity markets bounced back in the first month of 2023. The MSCI World NR index, which tracks the global developed equity market, rose 6.50% in January, amidst expectations that central banks would ease rate hikes over the coming year. European stocks in particular saw a healthy bounce during the month, with the Eurostoxx 50 NR index climbing nearly 10% in its best performing January to date.

Sometimes stock markets deliver a Christmas rally as each year comes to a close, but this wasn't the case in 2022. James Timpson looks back over market performance through the final month of 2022.

Markets staged a recovery in October, with global equities up 7% for the month and the FTSE 100 3% higher. As James Timpson, Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager explains, China was the notable exception, where stocks were off 16%, although with no direct investments there the Courtiers Funds weren’t hit. Both gilt prices and the value of the pound versus the dollar also recovered from their September lows.

September proved to be a difficult month for investors, with a potent cocktail of economic and geo-political uncertainty pushing valuations lower pretty much across the board, says Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager, James Timpson. The market’s unfavourable reaction to Kwasi Kwarteng’s so-called mini-budget hit the pound hard against the dollar, although it subsequently staged a recovery, while markets began October more positively.

The rising cost of living weighed heavily on global equity markets in August. Fixed income markets also saw declines. James Timpson, Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager reflects on a month, where emerging markets stood out as one of the few to buck the trend.

After the doom and gloom of June, world markets rallied by nearly 8% in July. James Timpson, Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager looks back at a month that was noticeable for a reversal of some recent trends, with US tech stocks Apple and Amazon advancing, bonds staging a recovery and oil prices falling back as a result of a slowdown in the Chinese economy.

Global equity markets are down 18% since the start of the year, the biggest decline in the first six months of the year since 1970. James Timpson, Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager reflects on another tough month for investors.

Courtiers Deputy Fund Manager, James Timpson, looks at a volatile yet positive month for markets.

A sharp decline in the S&P 500 index, a resilient FTSE 100 and positive returns for commodities, are three of the standout features of James's roundup of global markets in April.