Review of the week

Banks are very powerful, but very fragile. That’s because they are dependent on people and their ability to believe.

When banks fail they do so suddenly and the shock can create panic that spreads trouble to other lenders. That’s why US regulators have stepped in swiftly and unambiguously.

UK central bankers fall into an age-old parenting trap while talking to investors. Also, we look at the differences between official statistics and new ‘real-time’ series.

A new deal for the Northern Irish border is imminent, bringing hope of greater clarity on Brexit for the UK. Meanwhile, the outlook for global inflation only gets foggier.

The war in Ukraine has caused misery in Eastern Europe, upended global trade and sharpened world politics. An era of cheap hydrocarbons is now behind us, and further energy shocks could be on the horizon.

After years of upheaval, huge stimulus and changing habits from work to play, the paths of economic growth and inflation disappear into a fog as thick as a February morning. That’s why we’re still cautious about 2023.

Markets were fanned higher by US monetary policy before getting driven backwards by contradictory economic winds. Uncertainty still reigns supreme.

It’s a manic week ahead, full of monetary policy, earnings and economic insights. Just the right time for a week of strikes to cause bedlam throughout the UK, from schools to railways.

Signs of economic weakness in America have bond investors hoping the US central bank will soon let up on its path of higher interest rates. But they might be a little early.

Markets were buoyed by fading American inflation, but they may be getting ahead of themselves. Meanwhile, the UK high street reports some rare good news.

One for the ages, 2022 was a whirlwind year that shook up economies and markets. What’s in store for 2023?

We look back at a grim year for financial markets. The rebound in the last few months seems to offer investors some relief, but can we be confident that the worst is over?