The US and their impact on Global Markets When it comes to financial markets, perfect vision is impossible. This time last year, markets had endured their worst December since 1970 and investors were bracing themselves for recession. By March, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) had altered its plans for higher interest rates to counter slowing
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How healthy is the US economy? During the first half of 2019 the US economy grew by just over 2.5% in real terms, slightly ahead of typical estimates for the economy’s potential growth rate of 1.9%. At the same time, the labour market continued to create new jobs with the unemployment rate remaining low at
Read MoreIntroduction Link Fund Solutions (Link), the authorised corporate director (ACD) of the LF Woodford Equity Income Fund, intends to close this fund by selling its assets and returning the proceeds to investors. This decision is awaiting approval by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Why this has happened The decision to originally suspend dealings in
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Trade Wars Throughout 2019 the rhetoric between the US and China has become more hard line. On the face of it an impasse in trade talks leads to increased tariffs and slower economic growth as the Chinese have decided to take a firmer line in negotiations, reducing the chances of a deal. At some
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Boris Johnson, now leader of the Conservative Party enters Downing Street as the leader of a divided country facing a constitutional crisis. He has to date played hard-ball with the EU, with a ‘do or die’ attitude in respect of the 31 October deadline. As that date approaches, given that he now has the job
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Global Summary Economists & Policymakers have cut 2019 global growth projections again. However, whilst there is no doubt an overall slowdown, it may well be that outright recession could possibly be avoided in the US and world economies. Consumer confidence and spending remains firm and we are seeing easing in US-China trade tensions, more flexible
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We have all heard the terms, Bitcoin, blockchain and other types of cryptocurrencies, over the last 12 months or so, but what are they, how they work and should we as investors consider them as part of our portfolios. Conventional currency To understand what a cryptocurrency is, we first need to look at
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Current Situation December was another volatile month for markets across the world which continue to be affected by the current global economic environment. As the Brexit talks move through their final stages, the UK market was especially volatile, with the perceived balance of possible outcomes ever changing and causing wider than normal fluctuation in performance.
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It has no doubt not escaped your attention that the political agenda both in the UK and in the US has at times been febrile of late. Much like the weather here in the UK, the political climate has also been stormy and inclement. This has reflected in market volatility across all developed and
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With no significant tax or pension changes in yesterday’s Budget, the key financial planning points are: Income tax The personal allowance and higher rate threshold will increase earlier than expected to £12,500 and £50,000 respectively from April 2019. The income tax rates and bands for Scottish taxpayers will be announced in Scottish Budget on
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