Indexes

• The Atlantic Council released the 2026 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes, revealing a sharp decline in global adherence to the rule of law since 2020. • The report analyzes thirty years of data across 171 countries to illustrate the critical link between legal foundations and economic success. • This trend is significant because the erosion of legal frameworks stalls economic reforms and weakens democratic institutions, preventing millions from achieving prosperity.

• Major stock indexes closed lower on July 13, 2026, driven by a decline in memory chipmaker shares, including SK Hynix. • Oil prices surged following President Donald Trump's announcement that the U.S. is reinstating a blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. • The market volatility coincides with the start of second-quarter earnings reports from several major national banks this week.

• Major stock indexes advanced on Thursday, driven primarily by gains in chip stocks. • The market rise occurred as investors monitored ongoing military tensions and attacks between the U.S. and Iran. • Oil prices pulled back during the session as traders downplayed the immediate impact of the geopolitical fighting.

• London’s FTSE 100 and 250 indexes both dropped by over 1% following President Trump's decision to end the Iran nuclear deal. • The market decline was driven by investor fears regarding escalating Middle East tensions and the potential for significantly higher oil prices. • While the broader indexes fell, energy stocks saw gains as a result of the geopolitical instability.

• Major stock indexes declined on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average shedding 800 points following geopolitical instability. • Oil prices surged after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. ceasefire with Iran "over" and threatened to launch further attacks. • The market volatility highlights the immediate impact of U.S.-Iran tensions on global energy prices and investor confidence.

• The FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indexes declined following a broad selloff in UK equities. • The slide was triggered by renewed tensions in the Middle East, which drove up crude oil prices. • While the overall market fell, energy stocks outperformed other sectors due to the rising cost of oil.

• Major US stock indexes declined on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, as a downturn in AI-related stocks dragged down overall market performance. • The S&P 500 fell 0.4% for the day, despite the fact that the majority of individual stocks within the index actually saw gains. • This volatility highlights the disproportionate influence of a few high-profile AI companies on broader market trends and investor sentiment.