Stock markets enjoyed a positive week. Strong economic data and a slew of upbeat company earnings reports were enough to offset concerns over the continued spread of the delta variant and talk of central banks ending their extraordinary support packages.
US: Buoyed by evidence of the economic rebound
The S&P 500 gained 0.9%as strong economic data and corporate earnings updates overshadowed guidance from the Federal Reserve on the likely end to its quantitative easing programme. The US economy added 943,000 jobs in July.
Japan: Manufacturing lifts sentiment in the face of Covid
The Nikkei 225 returned 2.0%, even as the spread of the delta variant necessitated tighter social restrictions in some districts. Investors were cheered by data showing strong output from the manufacturing sector in July.
Asia: Political risk remains in the spotlight
In China, the CSI 300 rose 2.3%, regaining some of the ground lost last week. Regulation remained in focus as Tencent, the technology behemoth, dropped 5.3% on news that it will limit the time children can spend playing computer games each day.
Europe: All-time highs as corporate profits soar
The Euro Stoxx 50 rose 2.1%, ending at an all-time high after its best week since mid-March. The reopening of the economy has been a strong tailwind to company earnings, most noticeably in the banking sector.
UK: Strong earnings, but a word of warning from the BoE
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The FTSE 100 climbed 1.2%, while the FTSE Mid 250 gained 2.2%. Stock market gains have been fueled by strong company earnings reports. However, the sentiment was tempered later in the week by a reminder from the Bank of England that it is looking into how and when it will begin to withdraw and reverse its extraordinary support policies.