Latest Irish Life weekly markets update

Key talking points include:

• Global equities kicked off September on a mixed note, with markets parsing weak US jobs data and a weaker US dollar.
• Friday's jobs report lifted expectations that the Fed is likely to cut its benchmark rate by a quarter point on September 17, with an outside chance of a steeper half-point cut.
• The S&P 500 rose by 0.3% (MTD 0.3%, YTD 10.2%) while the Euro Stoxx 600 fell by 0.2% (MTD -0.2%, YTD 8.2%).
• This week, French Prime Minister Bayrou faces a snap confidence vote on his proposed €44bn budget cuts. The ECB will give their rate decision on Thursday (no change expected) and we get US PPI and Inflation data which markets will be watching for signs of tariff impacts.