Global equities delivered a varied performance over the past week, with Wall Street’s technology sector driving record highs in the US, while European shares posted their best gains in three months. Asian markets showed uneven results, with Japan outperforming but Chinese sentiment remaining cautious. In London, the FTSE 100 edged higher but lagged behind continental peers.
Asia sees mixed momentum
Asian stock markets delivered divergent outcomes. Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged by around 2.5%, boosted by strong corporate earnings and a slight easing in tariff tensions. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 2.4% over four sessions, while Thailand’s SET rose over 4%, aided by foreign inflows. However, Chinese equities lagged, weighed down by weaker consumer sentiment and property sector concerns, keeping the broader regional outlook mixed.
Europe enjoys its strongest rally in months
European shares recorded their biggest weekly rise in twelve weeks, fuelled by strong gains in financials and pharmaceuticals. Novo Nordisk led the charge after better-than-expected results for its obesity treatment. Broader sentiment improved as energy prices moderated and economic data pointed to resilience in the eurozone, lifting major indices across the region.
London trails its continental peers
The UK’s FTSE 100 posted a modest weekly gain, closing near the 9,095 mark. Despite upbeat earnings from select sectors and the Bank of England signalling policy stability, the index’s rise was limited by ongoing weakness in mining stocks and mixed domestic economic indicators. London underperformed compared to its European counterparts, reflecting persistent investor caution.
US markets hit fresh records
Wall Street ended the week on a strong note, with the Nasdaq reaching a record high, supported by gains in large-cap technology companies. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average also climbed, delivering their best weekly performance since June. Investor confidence was buoyed by robust corporate earnings, including a 13% jump in Duolingo shares ahead of its quarterly results, and expectations that the Federal Reserve could begin easing rates later this year.
Outlook remains data-driven
While the week saw notable gains in several regions, analysts caution that upcoming inflation data, central bank signals, and corporate guidance will play a critical role in sustaining momentum. Global equity markets remain sensitive to shifts in monetary policy and geopolitical developments, particularly in Asia-Pacific trade dynamics and US–Europe relations.
REFH – Newshub, 9 August 2025
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