News & Insights

Volatility returned to markets in April with key equity markets diverging over the month.

In the UK, the FTSE 100 index hit record highs helped by strong rises in commodity prices, sterling weakness against the US Dollar,  easing inflation and the prospect of interest rate cuts. Other developed markets fell back as geopolitical tensions cooled investor sentiment and stickier inflation combined with slowing growth raised the prospect of stagflation. Emerging markets and China fared better with positive returns for the month.

Bond markets disappointed as diminishing prospects of meaningful rates cuts led to yields rising during the month.

As a result, returns for investors are estimated to be negative across all currencies and risk categories of the ARC Indices.  Although all returns remain positive year-to-date.