A year of two halves: how global financial markets fared in 2024

Good for equities, good for the US, and good for crypto but the year spawned mixed blessings for the UK, China and Europe

Global stock markets climbed in 2024, helped by falling inflation and the US economy's success in avoiding a hangover from a strong post-pandemic recovery.

While Europe and the UK struggled to make headway, the US maintained pole position at the top of the rich nations' growth league, pushing shares in New York to new record highs.