LifeGoals Market Update

LifeGoals

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Updated Monthly

Monthly market update from LifeGoals Asset Management Department.

Jul 22

Update for July 2026

This report reviews developments in June and July 2026. The collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire dominated markets, driving oil prices sharply higher, increasing geopolitical uncertainty, and weighing on global equity sentiment, although strong AI-driven bank earnings helped support markets. In the US, payroll growth slowed sharply to 57,000 in June, while unemployment edged down to 4.2% due to lower labour force participation. Inflation eased to 3.5%, helped by falling energy prices earlier in the month, but the renewed conflict has increased expectations that the Fed could raise rates later in the year. Eurozone inflation declined to 2.8%, although markets continue to expect further ECB tightening as rising energy prices threaten to keep inflation elevated. Cyprus inflation rose to 4.1%, the highest among the countries covered in the report. Global equity markets were mixed. The S&P 500 slipped 0.4% after failing to reach new highs, while European markets posted only modest gains as higher oil prices weighed on sentiment. Strong AI-related investment activity continued to drive record earnings for major US banks, offsetting some of the broader market weakness. Oil prices rebounded sharply following the breakdown of the ceasefire, with Brent crude rising to around $91 per barrel amid renewed disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Gold fell 2.8%, while Bitcoin recovered 4.8%. Bond yields rose across the US and Europe as investors priced in higher inflation and a more hawkish outlook from central banks.
Jun 20

Update for June 2026

This report covers developments in May and June 2026. The dominant theme was the announcement of an initial US-Iran peace agreement, which triggered a sharp rally in global equities and a significant decline in oil prices. Despite improving market sentiment, uncertainty remains over the durability of the ceasefire and the future of Iran’s nuclear programme. In the US, the economy remained resilient, with 172,000 jobs added in May and unemployment holding at 4.3%. Inflation rose to 4.2%, driven largely by energy prices, while core inflation remained relatively contained. The Fed left rates unchanged but adopted a more hawkish tone, with markets beginning to price in the possibility of a rate hike later in the year. In Europe, inflation increased to 3.2%, prompting the ECB to raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.25%, its first hike since 2023. Policymakers cited inflationary pressures stemming from the Middle East conflict and warned that the outlook remains highly uncertain. Global equity markets advanced, led by AI-related stocks. The S&P 500 gained 2.0%, while European markets also rebounded as falling oil prices improved the outlook for energy-importing economies. Japan’s Nikkei surged 17.7% to a record high, while Hong Kong equities remained weak. Oil prices fell sharply as investors anticipated a normalization of supply through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude dropped 27% to about $81 per barrel. Gold fell 7.5% and Bitcoin declined 17.3% as investors rotated away from defensive assets and cryptocurrencies. Bond yields generally declined as geopolitical tensions eased, while the US dollar strengthened on expectations of tighter monetary policy. In Cyprus, inflation rose to 3.5%, while government bond yields moved lower in line with broader European markets.

2 Episodes

Monthly market update from LifeGoals Asset Management Department.

Creator

LifeGoals
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

2
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 LifeGoals Market Update