21/05/2026
UK government bond yields climbed again last week, with 10-year gilt yields ending above 5.1% and 30-year yields approaching 6%, their highest levels in decades.
Political uncertainty at home, alongside concerns over public finances and higher energy costs linked to the Iran crisis, added to investor unease.
There was some brighter UK economic news, with GDP growing 0.6% in Q1 2026 - the strongest performance among G7 nations. However, questions remain over how inflationary pressures and geopolitical risks may affect growth in the months ahead.
In the US, April inflation rose to 3.8%, driven largely by higher oil and gas prices, adding pressure to bond markets and contributing to renewed equity market volatility.
Elsewhere, the FCA announced a review into how investment firms support bereaved customers, while the government published further detail on how Inheritance Tax will apply to most unused pension funds and death benefits from 6 April 2027.
Read more: https://www.scottjamesandassociates.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/weekwatch-18-05-2026
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