In the US following a week of mixed corporate earnings and policy signals from the US President both indices posted nearly 2% gains for the week, with the S&P 500 and NASDAQ closing higher, up 1.86% and 1.46% respectively.
In Europe, Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos last week and highlighted the importance of early trade negotiations with the US to prevent any potential tariffs.
In the UK the FTSE 100 closed slightly lower for the week, down -0.09% resulting from losses in energy and financial stocks. In Ireland the new Government, which will lead the country for the next five years, was formerly ratified in Dáil Eireann last week, despite multiple suspensions of the Dáil.
In Asia-Pacific news the Bank of Japan (BoJ) increased its interest rate to a range of 0.25% to 0.50%, marking the highest policy rate in 17 years.
Weekly-Market-Review-27.01.2025-SP-2
