Investment Insights July 2026: Stalled house prices, reshaped media, and resilient assets

7 July 2026

Our thought-provoking monthly analysis of markets, economies, and investment opportunities and risks in particular sectors

Rathbones Investment Management

Article last updated 7 July 2026.

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

In this edition:

Market half-time: Equity markets have shrugged off war, political upheaval and rate worries, helped by AI-fuelled investment and strong earnings — but the next leg may depend on whether the capex boom pays off.
Artificial artistry: How AI is reshaping content creation and personalisation while raising fresh risks around copyright and the long‑term value of intellectual property.
The property rethink: Weak real wage growth, higher mortgage costs, tougher regulation and cooling second‑home hotspots are keeping house prices sluggish and reinforcing the case for diversified financial assets over bricks and mortar.

Homes by a beach

5 mins

7 July 2026

UK property investing: Houses, rates, and headaches

As higher rates, tougher taxes, and weak wage growth bite, UK property looks less like a one-way bet. A diversified portfolio may offer a stronger path to returns.

UK property investing: Houses, rates, and headaches

Records in a living room

5 mins

7 July 2026

GenAI in media: Bots, back catalogues, and battles

AI is reshaping media, music, and copyright, giving companies with valuable content libraries new licensing opportunities. But AI poses risks for investors too.

GenAI in media: Bots, back catalogues, and battles

Download these articles in a single PDF file

Snapshot

The global economy and markets

Figure of the month

74 years

Having weathered recessions, previous oil crises and the Global Financial Crisis, Americans are now at their gloomiest since the University of Michigan began its consumer sentiment survey in 1952. The Iran War has intensified cost-of-living concerns, while US DIY retailer Home Depot says sales of pricier products such as flooring have weakened.

At a glance

6.3%

Eurozone unemployment, April 2026

42%

Fall in Brent crude oil (April peak to 1 July)

45%

Fall in UK job vacancies (2022 peak to May 2026)

15%

Fall in US gasoline prices (May peak to 29 June)

Key market indicators

Equities

Total return (1 June 2021 = 100)

Government bonds

10-year yields (%)

Sterling

Value of £1 in dollars and euros

Corporate bonds

Option-adjusted spread over government bonds (bp)

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