News

Market Update 22nd January 2024

News: 22 January 2024

The market is still having trouble deciding what it thinks about rates and inflation. The S&P 500 hit an all-time high on Friday, job data out of the US was again stronger than expected last week and US consumer sentiment increased 13% in January. US consumers are the biggest drivers of the global economy.

Market Update 15th January 2024

News: 15 January 2024

Market Update 8th January 2024

News: 09 January 2024

But as I say, tis’ the season for looking ahead. So let’s start with the big picture. We know that from a policy rate and inflation perspective, 2024 will be very different to 2023. Inflation is receding and a succession of rate cuts is likely. That is clearly good news for almost all asset classes

Market Update 18th December 2023

News: 18 December 2023

We have to get the crystal ball out to think about the spirit of Christmas yet to come. Currently, our best guess of where we’ll be by this time next year is that we’ll have experienced a shallow recession. This will likely mean that we’ll see bank rates come down a bit which should act as a support for both bonds and equities.

Market Update 11th December 2023

News: 11 December 2023

Short-termism isn’t good for companies and investors. Warren Buffett has said that bear-markets return stocks to their rightful owners. As long as a company or fund is aligned with its long-term investment objectives, then long-term investors will remain, and short-term investors will be flushed out.

Market Commentary 4th December 2023

News: 04 December 2023

Market Commentary 27th November 2023

News: 27 November 2023

The yen has fallen a lot since then. Looking back at the charts, it peaked around the time I was eating. Dinner tonight would be only about £260, not that I’m going back there obviously. It has fallen a further 16% in 2023.

Market Update 20th November 2023

News: 20 November 2023

Let’s start with the first i: Inheritance tax. Casting aside political or moral points, one can see the reasoning. It only raises about £7bn a year. Current consensus has the Chancellor with enough headroom to make £10-15bn of tax cuts or spending increases and still meet his targets on debt.

Market Update 13th November 2023

News: 13 November 2023

Inflation will be front and centre again this week with the US CPI release on Tuesday and the UK print on Wednesday. Consensus expectations are that the US headline number will come in at 3.3%.

Market Update 6th November 2023

News: 06 November 2023

This year has been all about pairs, two sets of pairs in particular – inflation and interest rates, and AI and the Magnificent 7. Today we focus on the latter pair. AI has been a hyped theme and will inevitably do great things for our society when it is used properly. We just have to get through some ups and downs first.