S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
The S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI climbed to 53.7 in April 2026 from 51 in the prior month, slightly above the preliminary estimate of 53.6. This marked the highest reading since May 2022, as output expanded for the sixth time in seven months, supported by stronger new orders, backlog clearing, and a modest build-up in finished goods inventories. New orders grew at one of the fastest rates in four years, driven by both domestic and export demand. However, supply chain strains intensified, largely due to ongoing disruption linked to the closure of Strait of Hormuz amid prolonged Middle East conflict. As a result, input prices rose at its fastest rate since June 2022, marking one of the steepest increases recorded outside the post-pandemic spike. Finally, business optimism hit a one-year low as manufacturers grew increasingly concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on global growth, as well as geopolitical instability and government policy.
UK Mortgage Approvals Rise More than Expected
Net mortgage approvals for house purchases in the UK rose to 63,531 in March 2026, up from a revised 62,708 in February and surpassing market expectations of 60,000. This marked the highest level since November 2025, exceeding the six-month average of around 63,200, supported by declining borrowing costs. Remortgaging approvals, which only account for switches to a different lender, also climbed to 51,300 in March from 41,200 in February. The effective interest rate on newly drawn mortgages fell to 4.03% in March from 4.10% in February, while the rate on the outstanding stock of mortgages edged down to 3.93% from 3.95%.
UK Consumer Credit Inches Lower
Net borrowing of consumer credit by individuals in the UK eased to £1.9 billion in March of 2026 from the upwardly revised £1.94 billion in the previous month, but overshot market forecasts of £1.8 billion. The result was also above the six-month average of £1.8 billion. Net borrowing through other forms of consumer credit, such as car dealership finances and personal loans, eased to £1.2 billion from £1.3 billion in the previous month. Meanwhile, consumer credit through credit cards remained relatively unchanged from the previous month at £0.7 billion. The annual growth rate for all consumer credit increased to 8.9% in the period, picking up from the 8.6% increase earlier amid a 12.3% jump in credit card borrowing and 7.4% growth in other forms of consumer credit.
