Skip to main content
  • Wealth management
  • Asset management
  • Asset management
  • Jersey
  • Guernsey
  • USA
  • MyRathbones login
  • Financial Planning login
  • Donor Advised Fund login
Home
  • Who we help
    Who we help

    We help a wide range of clients invest well so that they can focus on what matters.

    Who we help
    • Individuals and families

      Focusing on you and your individual goals.

    • Entrepreneurs and business owners

      Helping turn the success of your business into financial security for your family.

    • Financial advisers

      Working with you, for your clients.

    • Charities

      Helping charities invest in line with their mission and values.

    • Professional partners

      We work with lawyers, accountants and other professionals.

  • Our services
    Services

    See our wide range of services tailored for your needs.

    Our services
    • Investment Management

      Looking for someone to create an investment portfolio for you?

    • Wealth Management

      Our combined investment and planning service for a holistic approach to your finances.

    • Financial Planning

      Need help reorganising your finances and planning for the future?

    • Asset Management

      Looking to invest in a fund? See our full range.

    • Tax and Trust

      Helping you pass on your wealth, manage a trust or gift to charity.

    • Greenbank Sustainable Investing

      Looking for investments that align with your values? See our sustainable investment options.

    • Personal Injury and Court of Protection

      Rathbones’ dedicated personal injury (PI) and Court of Protection (COP) team.

    • Private Banking with Investec

      Private, corporate, and investment banking services through our partnership with Investec bank.

  • About us
    About us

    A leading UK wealth manager with roots dating back to 1742.

    About us
    • Careers

      Learn more about what it’s like to work at Rathbones, and search our current vacancies.

    • Corporate governance

      Explore our reports and accounts which ensure we comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

    • Investor relations

      Find the Rathbones Group Plc financials, reports, investment case and key events.

    • Media centre

      Read the latest news from Rathbones Group.

    • Our purpose

      Our driving purpose is to help more people invest well, so they can live well.

    • Responsible business

      We believe in doing the right thing for our clients and for others too.

  • Insights
    Insights

    Read the latest news and market commentary from our specialists.

    Insights
    • Tax tips for the new tax year

      Every pound saved in tax today is a pound that could be compounding to grow your wealth for the future.

    • Financial planning

      Explore a range of topics affecting your finances, from retirement planning to the latest legislative changes.

    • Investing

      Read about the key investment themes affecting global markets.

    • Podcasts

      Listen in to or watch our specialists in one of our podcasts.

    • Responsible investing

      Explore our articles, reports and events on investing responsibly.

    • Webinars

      Timely insights, real conversations. Watch live or catch up anytime.

  • Contacts
    Contacts

    Whether you have a question about our services, or need to talk someone specific, we can help.

    Contacts
    • Our offices

      Find your local Rathbones office. We have 21 across the UK and Channel Islands.

    • Our people

      Find the contact details for your Rathbones team by searching our people’s directory.

    • Let's talk

      Our team will be in touch to help you book a no obligation consultation with an adviser.

    • Our media contacts

      Access the contact details for our media team.

    • Other contacts

      Need to contact us about something else? Here you'll find all the options.

Let's talk

Autocomplete

Investment Insights summary: May 2026

7 May 2026

Our monthly look at what’s driving global markets


Rathbones Investment Management
  1. Home
  2. Knowledge and Insight
  3. Investment Insights summary: May 2026

Article last updated 7 May 2026.

Our May edition features three stories — read online versions via the links below or download a PDF with all three articles. 

 

In this edition:

  • The world has become harder to understand and predict.
  • How ageing is reshaping spending patterns and investment opportunities.
  • Emerging markets offer another way of investing in the AI theme.
Download these articles in a single PDF file

Snapshot

The global economy and markets

Figure of the month

107%

The increase in the average car’s miles per gallon in the US since 1975, shortly after the 1973–74 oil embargo sent prices soaring. More than half of this gain came in the first six years. The global economy also became less energy-intensive, using less energy for each dollar of output. Economists believe the Iran conflict could trigger further innovation to reduce oil dependence.

At a glance

157%

Rise in global venture capital investment in first quarter of 2026

32%

Rise in liquefied petroleum gas prices since end of February

47%

Rise in Singapore naphtha prices since end of February

10%

Rise in aluminium prices since end of February

Key market indicators

Equities

Total return in local currencies (1 May 2021 = 100)
 

Government bonds

Difference between 2– and 10-year yields (%)
 

Equities

Total return in local currencies (1 May 2021 = 100)
 

Commodities

Oil, gold and silver prices in US dollars
 

Download Investment Insights as a PDF

Access more investment insights

Alongside this monthly Investment Insights publication, our large and experienced in-house research team share a wide range of updates and analysis, from regular strategy commentary and video briefings to in-depth reports, all designed to help you understand what’s driving the global economy, financial markets and the outlook for investment returns.

Jump in

Let's talk

Ready to start a conversation? Please complete our enquiry form, and our distribution team will be in touch. 

Enquire
Rathbones Logo
  • Important information
    • Important information
    • Financial Services Compensation Scheme
    • Complaints and the Financial Ombudsman Service
    • Privacy policy
    • Accessibility
    • Investor relations centre
    • Cookies
    • Update cookie preferences
  • Important information 2
    • Fraud: Reporting and preventing it
    • Client help hub
    • Interest rates
    • Climate reporting
    • Corporate governance
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Sitemap
    • Status of our websites
Address

Rathbones Group Plc
30 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QN

© 2026 Rathbones Group Plc
Incorporated and registered in England and Wales.
Registered number 01000403

Follow us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Youtube
Also of Interest
  • Benchmarks
  • Wealth Management E-Communications
  • Wealth and Investment Management Stories

The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.