Global equities delivered mixed returns in what was a busy week for news headlines. US equities led returns, as investors digested conflicting headlines in the Middle East, rallying energy prices, a raft of central bank decisions and a flurry of corporate earnings results. Japanese equities lagged following a strong start to 2026. Last week’s performance – major stock markets 

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AI disruption concerns again dominate global markets, with the US subsequently lagging global peers. Japan was the standout performer with stocks rallying strongly on the Liberal Democratic Party achieving a supermajority. Last week’s performance – major stock markets

1. Jan-25 : The FTSE 100 hit a record high as UK inflation fell to 2.5%, raising hopes for interest rate cuts. Meanwhile, as Trump raised tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, markets grew cautious over how tariffs might impact inflation and economic growth. China continues to experience weak domestic demand. 2. Feb-25: Global markets diverged as trade tensions hit sentiment, while strong earnings fuelled gains elsewhere. US stocks fell amid tariff uncertainty and weakening consumer demand. Trump warned of a 25% tariff on EU imports and possible UK taxes, confirmed duties on Canadian and Mexican goods, and threatened an extra 10% on Chinese imports. 3. Mar-25: Global stock markets came under pressure amid growing concerns about the economic impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Stock market falls, trade tensions and weakening consumer sentiment, reignited US downturn fears. The EU responded to Trump’s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium with duties on €26 billion worth of American goods. 4. Apr-25: Trade tensions intensified as President Trump announced new tariffs on Chinese imports. Whilst stock markets tumbled, they did subsequently recover after the US paused most tariff increases. As a result, the global economic outlook has weakened, and investors are expecting central banks to cut interest rates further. 5. May-25: Global equity markets rallied strongly after the US and China agreed to a 90-day suspension (and reduction) of tariffs. This eased concerns of an escalating trade war between the two economic superpowers. Robust corporate earnings and better-than-expected retail and manufacturing data in the US provided further tailwinds for equity markets, however, analysts warned the full economic impact may still be felt. 6. June-25: Geopolitical tensions rose following an escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict; however, markets were happy to look through the noise, following the announcement of a ceasefire between the two countries. Global equities extended their gains from May, rallying strongly on expectations of additional trade deals and further interest rate cuts globally. 7. July-25: Global equities rallied strongly on optimism surrounding trade deals between the US and many of its key trading partners. Several indices hit record highs for the month, shrugging off concerns surrounding the potential inflationary impact of tariff implementation. 8. Aug-25: Global equities extended their rally in August, as the likelihood for near-term interest rate cuts in the US increased and second quarter earnings season delivered robust results. Several indices once again set new all-time highs, while Chinese equities rallied 10% for the month boosted by strong domestic buying. 9. Sep-25: Global equities rose in September following the announcement that the Federal Reserve recommenced cutting interest rates. Markets reacted favourably to commentary from Federal Reserve officials that further interest rate cuts are likely in the months ahead. 10. Oct-25: Several indices hit all-time highs in October, including the S&P 500, Japan’s Nikkei 225, the Euro Stoxx 50 and the UK’s FTSE 100. A combination of easing monetary policy, resilient economic growth, cooling trade tensions and strong corporate earnings saw global equities continue their march higher. 11. Nov-25: In November, volatility spiked to its highest level since April, driven by concerns over elevated tech stock valuations and a diminishing likelihood of a U.S. rate cut in December. Stocks rallied into the end of the month, as commentary from Federal Reserve members signalled a December rate cut was still on the cards, while corporate earnings continued to exceed expectations. 12. Dec-25: Global equities performed strongly in December, driven by resilient economic growth, AI tailwinds and a backdrop of falling interest rates. The U.S. was the exception, as it pulled back on valuation concerns. The Bank of England and U.S. Federal Reserve each cut interest rates by 0.25 percentage points during the month, while Japan raised rates by 0.25 percentage points to their highest level in 3 decades. If you are invested in a range of funds within your portfolio these are likely to be spread across different regions of the world and, depending on your attitude to risk, a range of different assets. This diversification reduces the impact on performance of any individual event like the coronavirus crisis. We take a long-term approach to investing, and we do not let short-term events force us into making decisions about how we manage your portfolio.

At first glance, things like coffee and chocolate might not seem to have much to do with mortgages. But as you might have noticed, both have become noticeably more expensive in recent months. Don’t worry, this isn’t another lecture about skipping your morning latte or Starbucks trip to save for your house deposit. Instead it’s a call to look behind those higher prices where you’ll find a bigger story about inflation, which has a direct impact on the mortgage deals available to you. From everyday treats to global markets Coffee beans and cocoa are traded on international markets, and their prices are influenced by factors like climate change, crop yields, transport costs and global demand. When supplies are disrupted, as has happened recently with poor harvests in key producing countries, prices rise sharply. For consumers, that means higher costs at the supermarket or coffee shop. The link to inflation When everyday goods like food, energy and raw materials go up in price, it feeds into inflation – the measure of how fast the cost of living is increasing. Food prices, in particular, remain one of the biggest contributors to overall inflation. Higher inflation puts pressure on the Bank of England to act, since one of its main roles is to keep inflation close to its 2% target.   Why this matters for mortgages When inflation is high or expected to rise, the financial markets anticipate that the Bank of England will hold interest rates higher for longer. This expectation pushes up “swap rates” - the rates at which banks lend to each other. Swap rates play a big part in determining the cost of fixed-rate mortgages, so if they climb, so does the cost for lenders to borrow money. This means they are less able to offer cheaper deals. In other words, the higher cost of your flat-white or favourite chocolate bar can ripple through the economy and ultimately influence the rate you are offered on your next mortgage. What you can do The good news is that while global markets are outside our control, you can prepare for what’s happening closer to home. If your fixed rate is coming to an end, speaking to an adviser early can help you secure a new deal in advance and avoid being moved onto a higher Standard Variable Rate (SVR). An adviser can also guide you through all your options, whether you’re set to remortgage or looking to buy. One of the key benefits of using an adviser for this process is that they have a much wider choice of mortgage options available to them – compared to your bank or even your own online search. This means you can be reassured that you’re accessing competitive options that are best suited your needs and circumstances. Coffee and chocolate may be everyday luxuries, but their rising costs are a reminder of how interconnected our finances really are. Understanding those links, and planning ahead, is the best way to stay one step ahead of changes in the mortgage market. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to overlook the importance of protecting our financial security both for now and in the future. We work hard to build a comfortable life for ourselves and our loved ones, but what happens if the unexpected happens and we become too ill to work. How can we ensure that our security today and our financial legacy remains intact for the next generation? One of the most effective ways to protect our wealth is by incorporating income protection and critical illness cover into our financial planning. These two insurance options provide a safety net during challenging times, offering financial support when we need it most. Together, these two types of insurance complement each other to offer comprehensive financial protection: · Income protection provides ongoing financial support during periods of incapacity, ensuring you have a reliable source of income to sustain your lifestyle and your financial plans · Critical illness cover offers a lump sum payment upon diagnosis of a specified serious illness, providing a financial cushion to take a huge weight off your mind at a difficult time. By combining income protection and critical illness cover, you can protect your wealth, protect your lifestyle and protect your financial legacy in the face of unexpected health challenges. · Maintaining your lifestyle Both income protection and critical illness cover can help you continue your lifestyle by providing financial support. Whether it's paying the mortgage, paying bills, continuing your pension and investment contributions, these insurance options offer flexibility, security and peace of mind. · Preserving your savings and investments You won't need to dip into your savings, sell investments or reduce your pension contributions to maintain the lifestyle you're accustomed to and are planning for. With income protection in place, you'll have a reliable source of income to cover your expenses during times of illness or injury. This means you can preserve your savings for future goals and emergencies, without the worry of depleting them. · Protecting your legacy By safeguarding your financial stability, income protection and critical illness cover can ensure that your wealth remains intact for future generations. You can pass on your assets and provide for your loved ones without worrying about unforeseen financial setbacks. Incorporating income protection and critical illness cover into your financial planning strategy is a proactive step towards protecting your financial legacy for the future. Speak to us to secure your financial well-being for now and for generations to come. Call Planguard Finance on 01455 817477 or drop them an email on clientservices@planguardfinance.co.uk

Do you have a family who rely on your income? Get covered for sickness, injuries, life cover & more. DM me for advice. 01455 817477 clientservices@planguardfinance.co.uk Planguard Finance is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.