Bulls Push Back — Global Markets Find Their Footing

Global equity markets regained momentum this week, with the S&P 500 climbing more than 80 points despite mid-week volatility. Encouragingly, the rally broadened beyond the big tech names, with energy, financials — and notably pharma — helping to drive the index higher.

Global markets regained momentum this week as the S&P 500 rallied, led by strength in pharmaceuticals, energy, and financials | Max Foresight

💊 Healthcare stood out. Pharmaceutical stocks lifted sentiment after regulators signaled flexibility on drug pricing and tariffs. Pfizer’s agreement with the U.S. government was seen as a meaningful concession, calming investor fears over tighter cost controls. Bloomberg noted that part of the S&P’s rise was directly tied to healthcare and pharma gains — showing that this week’s bounce had real breadth.

🌍 In Europe, the STOXX 600 eked out gains as stronger German and French consumer data offset weaker earnings. Asia was mixed: India kept momentum in services, while China’s softer trade data weighed on optimism. Still, capital flows into Asia highlight ongoing investor diversification.

🛢️ Commodities told their own story. Oil edged higher on supply jitters, gold climbed on safe-haven demand, while industrial metals slipped as Chinese demand cooled. The U.S. dollar held firm, keeping pressure on emerging markets, even as bond yields eased slightly on renewed rate-cut chatter.

For globally minded investors, the message is clear: volatility hasn’t gone away, but resilience is spreading across sectors. With healthcare and financials now joining tech in driving performance, the bull case looks broader and stronger.

Looking ahead, all eyes are on U.S. payrolls, Eurozone inflation, and China’s PMI. Each could determine whether this rebound builds momentum or fades.

📌 Now is the time to review your positioning. Are you too concentrated in yesterday’s winners, or are you building a balanced portfolio ready for both bumps and opportunities?

If you’d like a tailored global review — including a heat map and stress test of your portfolio — 👉 book a chat today.