This week, investors mulled over multiple PMI datasets, most notably from the UK and US. A PMI below 50 indicates a contraction, while anything above indicates an expansion. In the UK, the preliminary reading for the services sector dipped slightly to 49.2 in October 2023 from 49.3 the previous month.

The US consumer once again displayed resilience this week as fresh data came in on Tuesday regarding retail sales, placing the US even further away from recession. Shoppers were revealed as continuing to spend

This week’s headlines have centred around the conflict between Hamas and Israelis that has seen many people either wounded, killed or displaced from their homes. On Saturday, an attack by the group, Hamas, occurred and was swiftly followed by Israel declaring war on the Gaza Strip

This week, rising bond yields have been at the forefront of investors’ minds as markets digest a so-called higher for longer interest rate environment. On Tuesday, the Fed made some hawkish statements about monetary policy,

With a scarcity of significant economic data releases so far this week, the attention of market participants has predominantly centred around a threat of a Government shut down in the US. Political deadlock is currently occurring in the world’s largest economy over disagreements concerning public spending cuts that are being championed by the Republican party.

Amidst the threat of a Government shutdown, this week investors listened closely to an interview with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the outlook for America’s economy. On Monday, Yellen reiterated the resilience of the US, stating that it would be able absorb

This week, data coming out of the UK was a mixed bag. A report on Tuesday revealed that unemployment and wages have risen, showing that unemployment increased by 159,000 in the last quarter, pushing the jobless rate higher to 4.3%. It’s not all bad news, however,

More stimulus measures, and promises of, have also been rapidly firing from China this week. On Monday, reports revealed that China has come up with ways to boost the domestic stock market and support the property sector.

Positive news emerged from China this week. The Chinese government extended tax cuts for foreign nationals, meaning they could enjoy taxable deductions on rent, language training, and children’s education, amongst other things, right through to 2027.

This week has generally been a quiet one for economic reports. On Monday, data came out that Britain’s labour market is losing its inflationary significance.