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Week in review: Europe grows while the UK slows
This week: optimism soars for emerging markets, and “The Mooch” gets the boot. The Bank of England (BoE) left interest rates unchanged at 0.25% and slashed growth forecasts as uncertainty over Brexit weighs on the…
A Mini Wake up Call as we Head into Summer?
Having been far too one directional with exceptionally low volatility in recent weeks, it feels like financial markets received a slight jolt last week just as many will be heading off for summer vacations. Nothing…
Week in Review: the end is nigh for Libor
The notorious benchmark lending rate is set to be dropped in 2021, according to FCA boss Andrew Bailey. Regulators will aim for a more reliable marker now the scandal-hit Libor days are numbered. Elsewhere, the…
Where’s the clever money going? July 2017
As we head into the second half of 2017, a number of commentators have been reviewing performance over the eventful first six months of the year. With the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president…
Fundamentals Versus Market Analysis
With central bankers preparing for their summer vacations, markets have been hanging onto their every word and nuanced syllable for guidance of what they may deliver in the Autumn. There was a mixed response to…
Week in review: winter is coming?
“We’re not there yet.” This was Thursday’s message from Mario Draghi, the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), as he put off any decision on curtailing the ECB’s monetary stimulus programme. Citing low inflation,…
Mid-year outlook: be more selective in the second half For Professional Investors Only
At the mid-year point, US equities seem expensively valued in the face of dull economic growth and rising rates. By contrast, Europe looks attractive, as some of the key political risks fade, and the positive…
Week in review: All aboard the gloom train?
This week: a bleak forecast for the UK economy, NASDAQ shows its FANGs and a piggy in the middle of a city. The UK’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) struck a sour note this week…
An Outlook – On Guard
Alex Scott, Deputy Chief Investment Officer Last month, we focused this commentary on our currency positioning: we prepared portfolios for the possibility of Sterling strength as the government position on Brexit is forced to soften…
Week in review: the rise of the volts wagon
Perhaps it’s too early to sound the death knell for the internal combustion engine. But Swedish carmaker Volvo this week moved the motor industry closer to an electric future, by announcing that from 2019, it…
Expect things to get a bit more difficult
Chris Darbyshire, Chief Investment Officer Can political uncertainty become so elevated that it affects a country’s economy? We are about to find out. British businesses, already dealing with the coming departure from the EU, must…
Now with Added Income
New dividend policy approved Shareholders of the Martin Currie Asia Unconstrained Trust have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the proposed resolution to allow payment of dividends from capital. The final dividend for the financial year…
Central Bankers’ Message to Markets
We have been bombarded by Central Bank speakers in recent days. What does it all mean; if anything at all? Do we need to change our thinking on markets? These are serious questions for investors…
Week in review: Financials in focus
This week: UK Financial Stability Report, U.S. bank stress tests and a Rogaine robbery. The finance industry was squarely in the spotlight this week with the Bank of England’s financial stability report and the second…
Oil Prices Collapsing Amidst Political Problems in the Middle East
We last wrote about oil on 23 April in which we said “With the best will in the World, OPEC and Non OPEC production cuts are barely making a dent in bloated stockpiles and there…
What Korean Life Expectancy Means For Your Savings
Income Investing For A Longer Retirement For the first time in history, a national life expectancy is set to surpass the 90-year barrier. Recent news that South Korea’s female population will soon reach this demographic…
Old is gold!
Investing to take advantage of an ageing population The global population is increasing and ageing. This creates many challenges... ... but also offers new investment opportunities. Healthcare, property, infrastructure, leisure and travel are just…
Week in review: the good, the bad and the uncertain
It was a week dominated by central bank meetings and more political play. The US Federal Reserve (Fed) raised its key interest rate by a further 0.25% – the second increase this year – while…