Key considerations for investors: Interest Rates have been so low for so long now although the US Federal Reserve has made the first move by raising rates in December 2016. When will be the next increase? Whilst it is intimated that the UK is someway off the US rises, it could be sooner if the
Read MoreGiven the current theme of global stock market volatility caused largely by the issues that exist in the Far East, we are providing a brief update addressing the current market volatility and the likely effect on your investments. Current Market Volatility There are concerns over market volatility in recent weeks, with the lack of a
Read MoreWith a weak start to the year and a modest rebound in April it is expected to be another year of below trend global growth. Consequently the end of year forecasts are slightly below last year’s 2.7% (GDP based on current fixed exchange rates). Having said that, despite the US economy’s quarter ‘1’ contraction, recent
Read MoreGlobal Stock markets have dipped significantly in the past few weeks as fears over global economies and falling inflation hit shares and drove up bond prices. Reports of the slowdown in growth in the US, disappointment over the health of the economy in Europe, concerns about a slowdown in Asia, as well as the threat
Read MoreToday, the Bank of England (BoE) released its latest quarterly Inflation Report, which updates its projections for inflation and the wider UK economy. Overall, the report did not make significant changes to either the Bank’s inflation forecasts or its expectations for UK economic growth. It did, however, reflect on market expectations that the UK interest
Read More2014 is likely to be a year of transition for both the developed and the emerging world. In the developed economies, there are somewhat tentative signs that economic recovery is gathering pace with monetary policy in the United States becoming less available. This is the so-called tapering process. In the emerging world, by contrast, economic
Read MoreYou may be aware from media or other communications of a radical change in the way that investment fund managers’ report their charges for investing your money. We felt it was important to explain what was happening in simple English, so here goes……. What’s happened? Traditionally, when you invested into an investment fund, you will
Read MoreWhat are economic cycles and how do they affect me? One of the frequent themes that impacts upon the tactics and longer term strategy when investing, is identifying where we are in the economic cycle. Despite the turmoil and in some instances, capitulation over recent years, the economic cycles are a known and lucid part
Read MoreI tuned in last night to Channel 4’s ‘Do you trust your Bank?’ In case you didn’t see it, the programme focussed on the recent activities of some of our high street banks that have recently come to light. We were acquainted with the story of a recently retired couple who had downsized their main residence
Read MoreSummer has arrived, I think. There’s plenty to be concerned about. Will Greece stay or go? What is the future of the Euro? Who will win the singles at Wimbledon? Or what is chrometophobia? Well despite most of us worrying about not having enough money, there also being a few of us who have a lot
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