Global markets offered a mixed but ultimately encouraging picture this week, as investors digested key developments across trade, and central bank policy. At the heart of market attention were the latest interest rate decisions from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England.

The United States and China announced a breakthrough in trade talks on Monday, agreeing to pause most of the tariffs imposed on each other’s products for a period of 90 days. As part of the deal, both nations will significantly reduce their mutual tariffs— the US will cut tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China will cut tariffs on American imports from 125% to 10%.

Almost a quarter of UK workers (23%) have had to borrow money from family and friends in the last year because of money worries, and almost a fifth have taken on debt (18%). It seems financial worries have become the new normal. With almost 14.6 million UK adults not coping financially or finding it difficult to cope, many are looking for ways to help ease the strain on their finances.

Money worries are having a detrimental impact on the workplace with our latest research finding that 40% of employees believe that it affects work performance by causing increased stress levels. One in ten (10%) say it has led to increased sick days.