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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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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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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The Dangers of Brexit Given the unprecedented nature of Brexit, many investors are becoming cautious in their approach, which possibly means they may be inclined to invest elsewhere, which is no doubt influenced by the noise of daily politics. Yet, the truth is that the Brexit uncertainty is well recognised, so while people are
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Stock-Market Volatility – February 2018 After a lengthy stretch of calm, stock market volatility has returned this week. On Monday, the Dow Jones index fell 1,175 points, the single largest one-day drop in history. This has affected the UK stock-markets also. The FTSE 100 has dropped over the last week, with six consecutive days of
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As we enter 2018 it is conceivable that the world’s leading economies will continue to display strength and resilience. The US economy is strong and the eurozone economies are improving along with an increase in global trade. This improvement among developed economies should also have a positive impact on the manufacturing economies of East Asia
Read MoreAs expected with Brexit looming, Philip Hammond delivered a fairly non-descript Budget with only one or two small surprises. The highlights relevant to our clients are detailed below. Pensions Lifetime allowance for pensions – the Budget papers confirmed that the lifetime allowance for pension savings will increase in line with CPI, rising to £1,030,000
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