SPRING BUDGET – March 2021 Following the Spring Budget 2021, please see below a summary of the main financial points: Income tax The Personal Allowance for 2021/22 is increasing to £12,570 and the basic rate band to £37,700 meaning a higher rate threshold of £50,270. These figures will then be frozen until April
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Economic & Market Outlook – January 2021 Happy New Year !!! Coronavirus 2021 has started with another National Lockdown and the accelerated roll out of the Covid-19 Vaccine. We currently have the fastest roll out of this vaccine with the US close behind, although Europe are still yet to approve Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and
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Economic & Market Outlook – December 2020 The likely contrast between 2020 & 2021 With major European economies all experiencing either new nationwide or tiered lockdowns and the US experiencing new records in daily infections, there is no immediate relief from the Covid-19 pandemic in sight. This means that the fourth quarter of
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From record highs in the Stock-markets at the beginning of the year, the Coronavirus pandemic, an event unexpected in its arrival has been unprecedented in its effect. Stock-Markets endured their worst 3-week period in history, while liquidity in the bond markets evaporated. Interest rates were cut to zero and governments in the UK and the
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Given recent market events, I am sure it wouldn’t have escaped your attention at the impact that this is having on world stock markets, as they adjust to the short-term economic implications (the outlook for earnings from companies) due to the Coronavirus outbreak. In fact, the one thing I can guarantee is that you’re
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Around the world, headlines in early 2020 have been dominated by the outbreak of coronavirus in China. As the virus has spread globally, taking thousands of lives, it has dealt a significant blow to global stock markets. But despite the clear impact that the epidemic has had in China, and now more globally, are global
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Stock-Markets don’t like uncertainty, and the coronavirus is having an effect on global markets and economic growth. Regionally, it was the Asian markets which have seen the greatest falls initially. However, this slump was followed by a rally that made back most of the losses. But the spread of the virus outside of China
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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
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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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