Global stock markets gave a mixed performance last week, as encouraging quarterly earnings and vaccine optimism were offset by concerns about rising inflation.

After a volatile few days, global equities reached record highs last week as the vaccine roll out gathered pace and data revealed a decline in coronavirus cases.

Global equities rebounded last week as the short squeeze began to unwind and investors turned their attention to more positive vaccine and economic news.

Global equities posted sharp declines last week, as heightened volatility added to fears about the efficacy of the vaccine roll out.

Global equities performed relatively strongly last week, as fresh hopes of US stimulus outweighed concerns about extended lockdowns in Europe.

Most global markets fell back slightly over the past week, retreating from record highs set in the first trading week of the year. The falls came after a strong run for global markets that has, unsurprisingly, led to some profit taking. Also weighing on markets has been some disappointing economic data caused by new or expanded lockdowns.