Market volatility punctuated the start of 2026 and is continuing into February across all equity markets, with even the star of 2025, precious metals, not shielded from the storm.

The start of 2026 has seen a continued bout of volatility despite a largely positive backdrop for risky assets like shares.

Charlie Parker and Fahad Hassan examine how massive AI-driven investment has shaped 2025’s markets, concentrating gains in a handful of tech leaders and raising valuation and concentration questions.

Global political and economic events have been dramatic in recent years, yet stockmarkets have still made progress.

Inflation has a tendency to vanish quietly, only to reappear when least expected. 

Annabel Gillard, AI ethics expert, shares her views on how we can engage positively with AI.