February 2026 Investment Summary

A positive month for the Passive range with returns ranging from 2.34% (Passive 1) to 4.53% (Passive 5).

*P Acc share class with data sourced from FE analytics as at 28 February 2026.

February brought sustained market volatility, but delivered solid portfolio returns.

Equity markets diverged as global policy shifts reshaped sentiment. The voiding of 2025 US duties, triggered President Trump to announce a new 10-15% global tariff for 150 days in response, pressuring emerging markets and putting existing tariff deals under threat. High-end manufacturing hubs such as South Korea and Taiwan remained focal, though the broader sector struggled as the AI-driven rally met valuation headwinds and disruption narratives. The FTSE 100 significantly outperformed, gaining +7.0% and surpassing 10,900, while the Stoxx 600 rose +3.9%, led by defensives. In contrast, the S&P 500 fell -0.8% and the Nasdaq dropped -3.3%, reflecting investor rotation away from various parts of disrupted technology, like software while investors exhibited some profit taking on AI and MAG 7 stocks, given stretched valuations and announcements CAPEX that were larger than anticipated.

In the US, the Supreme Court’s ruling against last year’s reciprocal tariffs prompted the administration to deploy a revised 10% global tariff with an ambition to move to 15%. Effective tariff levels remain broadly unchanged from 2025. The EU and UK are actively weighing responses.

US monetary policy turned more hawkish, with FOMC minutes revealing divisions over potential cuts versus hikes. Inflation eased to 2.4% (from 2.7%), yet Treasury yields stayed anchored as markets continued to price in 2 rate cuts by the Fed this year.

The Bank of England held rates at 3.75% by a narrow 5-4 vote, balancing easing inflation (3.0%, down from 3.4%) against deteriorating labour conditions with unemployment at 5.2%, its highest since early 2021.

Geopolitical risk escalated late in the month, as US-Iran relations deteriorated sharply. After nuclear talks failed to progress, the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked sites on 28 February. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across Israel and several Gulf states, leading to regional airspace closures and elevated defence readiness. Investors have reacted by repositioning out of wining trades year-to-date and adding to laggards, while bond yields have risen sharply to levels seen at the start of the year, as the inflationary impact from higher oil prices could limit central banks’ abilities to cut interest rates. Markets remain attentive to evolving economic data, with volatility centred around key macro announcements, while geopolitical risks have grown. Diverging inflation paths and uneven growth are driving asymmetric central bank policies, while fiscal dynamics and liquidity conditions add complexity. This backdrop sets the stage for greater dispersion across assets and regions in the months ahead.

WS Prudential Risk Managed Passive - Tactical asset allocation activity

Following a sharp sell-off in some equity markets, we increased our equity overweight to 2.75%; adding to our Asian equity position and initiating a position in Japan. Our basket is now made up of US, Asia, Europe, Japan and GEM. We hold overweight positions in US Treasuries and UK Gilts with underweights in US and European Corporate bonds.