Global Weekly Equities Report - July 24, 2026

Global Equities: The U.S. Market

U.S. Stocks Decline as Nasdaq Leads Weekly Losses

U.S. equities ended the week lower, with the Nasdaq declining 2.13% to close at 24,975.82, followed by the S&P 500, which fell 0.66% to 7,411.98. The Dow Jones declined 0.38% to 51,947.25, while the MSCI World fell 0.39% to 4,788.90. The broader weakness was driven by renewed trade uncertainty, sharp oil-price volatility, and continued pressure on growth-oriented equities.

New Tariffs and Oil Volatility Add to Market Uncertainty

The expiration of the temporary global trade levy was followed by the introduction of targeted tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on more than 60 countries, raising concerns over the potential impact on global trade and economic growth. Energy markets also experienced significant volatility, with Brent crude briefly rising above $100 per barrel before falling 4.8% to $95.88 after reports that China was

mediating potential negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Energy and Defensive Sectors Outperform as Consumer Sectors Weaken

Sector performance was led by Energy, which gained 3.31%, followed by Utilities (+2.46%), Industrials (+1.77%), and Materials (+1.44%). In contrast, Consumer Discretionary declined 5.24% and Communication Services fell 3.97%, making them the weakest-performing sectors. The rotation reflected a shift away from more economically sensitive consumer and communication segments, while Energy and defensive sectors attracted stronger investor interest amid heightened trade and geopolitical uncertainty.