The first in a mini-series of short articles designed to educate readers on asset-backed securities (ABS) and the benefits of investing in the asset class. First up: what it is and how it actually works.

US sanctions against two Russian oil giants saw prices spike, as well as putting upward pressure on bond yields. Elsewhere there is optimism that presidents Trump and Xi will find sufficient common ground for a US/China trade deal. Read our weekly snapshot of global fixed income markets.

Despite lingering questions around their legality and (lagged) potential impact on US inflation, financial markets appear to have moved swiftly on from tariffs.