Economic Update
How the 2024 U.S. Election Results Could Impact Your Investments
By Samuel Mather-Holgate It’s already been a week since the US general election and with Donald Trump elected to a second term as President of the United States, it’s natural to wonder how this change in leadership might affect financial markets and, in turn, your investments. While political developments can sometimes spark uncertainty, successful investing…
Read MoreKey Highlights from the 2024 Autumn Budget
The Chancellor’s first Autumn Budget under the new Labour government introduced significant updates that could impact your financial plans. From adjustments to stamp duty land tax and pensions to changes in inheritance tax and capital gains, these new measures reflect the government’s goals to stabilise finances while funding essential public services. You can read the…
Read MoreUK Autumn Statement: How Labour Might Tackle the Fiscal Deficit Without Raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT
Introduction With Labour’s recent election win, attention is now focused on their upcoming Autumn Statement, which will reveal their plans to address the so-called “fiscal black hole.” Labour has already ruled out increasing income tax rates, National Insurance, or VAT, narrowing the options available to raise the necessary revenue. This blog explores the potential tax…
Read MoreBudget Update 2024
On 6 March, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt delivered his Spring Budget to the House of Commons declaring it was “a Budget for long-term growth.” The fiscal update included a number of new policy measures, such as a widely-anticipated reduction in National Insurance, abolition of the non-dom tax status and new savings products…
Read MoreMonday Market Update – 2nd October 2023
Economic resistance is about to be tested September is rarely a great month for investors, and last month proved no exception. Broadly, both equities and bond values declined and there is increasing sentiment that the 2023 market recovery is running out of steam or may even be turning. This may seem surprising to investors as…
Read MoreMonday Market Update – Monday 18th September 2023
Central bank hawks still determined to defang inflation This time last week, it still seemed as if European Central Bank (ECB) policymakers would hold off on another rate hike, following some dire economic data. But on Thursday, the ECB raised its deposit rate once again by 0.25% to an all-time high of 4%. Markets took…
Read MoreMonday Market Update – 11th September 2023
Oil prices up and an ill wind for renewables So far Markets have been generally quiet during September, but energy is again becoming an issue. Oil prices have risen since the start of the summer, with Brent crude having bounced along a bottom of $73 per barrel for the first half of 2023. Compared with…
Read MoreMonday Market Update – 4th September 2023
New school term has the US top of the class Summer is officially over, but we are none the wiser regarding the direction of the economy. Or are we? Generally, the inflation backdrop continues to ease, although not fast enough for comfort according to Bank of England (BoE) chief economist Huw Pill. He wants interest…
Read MoreMonday Market Update – 21st August
Bonds are back Last week was another difficult one for both equity and bond markets. As a result, the positive returns of July have mostly been erased so far in August. Overall, world markets are largely unchanged from a year ago. Many commentators have pointed to the rise in global bond yields as a big…
Read MoreThe week in review – 17th July 2023
Core inflation slowdown equals upbeat equity markets We wrote at the end of last week that markets were still absorbing the prospect of another round of significant interest rate rises from central banks, and that equities would therefore come under further pressure. But by the end of last week equity markets had risen sharply, with…
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