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New Prime Minister Andy Burnham received some positive economic data in his first week as PM. 10-year gilt yields eased to 5.07% on the back of news that retail sales rose 1% in June, beating expectations of a 0.3% decline. The World Cup and consistent sunshine helped contribute to the extra spending. Consumer confidence is now at a six-month high too. PMI data also showed UK business activity has returned to growth.

Counter to press expectations, Andy Burnham named John Healey as Chancellor. Healey resigned as Defence Secretary just six weeks ago in a row over military spending. UK defence stocks like Babcock and BAE surged on the news and the likelihood that Healey will increase defence spending from 2.7% to 3%…

The price of brent crude oil surpassed $90 a barrel again after another week of fighting in the Middle East. Last night, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said “not a single drop” of oil or gas will get through the Strait of Hormuz if US attacks continue.

Vessels passing through the Strait dropped to just 13 last Wednesday and maritime traffic appears near another standstill…

Market returns were mixed in June as investors navigated a complex environment combining de-escalation in the Middle East with uncertainty over the future of AI spending. Tensions between the US and Iran eased following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which put a pause on the conflict and helped reopen the Strait of Hormuz. While a positive development, markets responded cautiously, with the flow of oil tankers remining significantly below pre-war norms…

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage’s decision to resign and hold a by-election for his Clacton-on-Sea seat sent UK gilt yields up earlier in the week. With all major parties refusing to take part, Farage will now face Count Binface, members of Monster Raving Loony Party and the Human Fox on 13 August 2026. If re-elected, the Commons Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, will finish his investigation into Farage’s undisclosed £5mn “gift” from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harbone. If found guilty of breaking parliamentary rules by not disclosing the gift, Clacton will face another by election shortly after.

UK gilt yields fell on Friday after Andy Burnham’s nomination to be the Labour party leader and next PM, was backed by 322 out of 403 labour MPs…

In a turbulent week, worries about the US war in Iran took a backseat with the future of AI in the spotlight again.

Tuesday’s tech sell off was sparked by concerns about valuations (seven tech companies currently make up 30% of the US’s main index’s value), high capital expenditure plans, the prospect of higher US interest rates, and some profit taking. SpaceX’s announcement that it’s looking to raise $20bn in a bond sale restarted the conversation around the massive cost of AI spending. The downturn spread across to Asia sending South Korea’s main index down 9.99%, its biggest drop in three months.

In a turbulent week, worries about the US war in Iran took a backseat with the future of AI in the spotlight again.

Tuesday’s tech sell off was sparked by concerns about valuations (seven tech companies currently make up 30% of the US’s main index’s value), high capital expenditure plans, the prospect of higher US interest rates, and some profit taking. SpaceX’s announcement that it’s looking to raise $20bn in a bond sale restarted the conversation around the massive cost of AI spending. The downturn spread across to Asia sending South Korea’s main index down 9.99%, its biggest drop in three months.