Financial markets regularly go through periods of speculation and volatility. These add to signs of excess in share markets, where the AI boom has driven major indices to record high, particularly in the US. A recent forecast from US president Donald Trump that the US market is set to double in value looks shaky indeed. It remains to be seen if the pockets of volatility which have emerged turn into a more generalised market downturn, with wider economic implications. Market disruption can spread to cause wider economic difficulties by hitting confidence, damaging household wealth and in some cases leading to wider financial upheaval.

Source: The Irish Times February 09, 2026 06:30 UTC