European equities finished the week in positive territory, although trading remained cautious as investors balanced central bank policy decisions against ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Major global markets ended last week lower. Investors entered the week focused on Friday’s US nonfarm payrolls report, which delivered another encouraging signal on the health of the American economy. 

Global stock markets delivered another strong performance last week, with major US indexes closing at record highs as investors responded positively to easing geopolitical concerns, lower energy prices, and continued enthusiasm around artificial intelligence.

Major US indices not only closed last week higher but also capped off April with impressive double-digit gains. Read our weekly investment news to see what’s been happening across the global markets. 

Global equities suffered further losses, and the S&P 500 hit a six-month low as the conflict in the Middle East raged on and the Strait of Hormuz remained shut.

Heightened volatility and selling pressure continued to sweep across all asset classes as the war in the Middle East ended its third week.

Global equities fell -1.3% in EUR terms amid the developing conflict in the Middle East. The market priced in higher inflation expectations as the price of oil surged 37.9% in EUR terms, its largest weekly gain in futures trading since 1983. 

A quiet week in terms of economic releases was dominated by corporate and geopolitical news. Read about what has been happening across the global markets and the impact on investments. 

Markets were swayed by a number of key economic reports in the US last week. According to a US non-farm payrolls release on Wednesday, 130,000 new jobs were added in January, outpacing projections for a 70,000 rise, while the unemployment rate fell from 4.4% to 4.3%.

After sustained periods of technology stocks leading equity markets, last week saw a rotation toward traditional sectors like consumer staples, energy, industrials, and materials.