News / Views

Investment Notes

Follow our regular updates to stay up-to-date with current financial planning and investment issues. We regularly publish press clippings, articles and thinkpieces that we think might be of interest to our clients.

Keep Calm and Keep Shares

Published on
17 October 2014

During the past four weeks, the FTSE 100 index of UK equities has reduced in value by 7.2% and the S&P 500 index of US equities has reduced in value by 5.5% in Dollars. Meanwhile, prices of government bonds have risen as investors reallocate to assets they consider safer.

Nippon Europe?

Published on
26 August 2014

Angela Merkel’s favourite set of facts about Europe are that it represents 7% of the world’s population, 25% of the world’s GDP and 50% of the world’s social spending.

QE: Farewell or Au Revoir?

Published on
1 August 2014

The US policy of Quantitative Easing (“QE”) is due to end later this year. Growing uncertainty about the evolution of monetary policy as the economy strengthens is likely to contribute to increased market volatility.

A Quietly Profitable First Half

Published on
10 July 2014

At the beginning of 2014 we forecast that investing in markets this year would be less profitable but more volatile than in 2013. So far in 2014, the first aspect of our forecast has been borne out, with most asset classes showing total returns of between 0% and 5%, the major exception being UK commercial property with a total return of about 8%.

UK Company Shares – Go Large

Published on
17 June 2014

During the last 15 years, the UK’s largest companies (constituents of the FTSE 100 index) have delivered significantly lower returns than medium-sized companies (in the FTSE 250 index). We believe that this trend will now reverse over the next few years and the largest companies will outperform the medium-sized companies.

Gilts or Kilts? Implications of a YES vote to Scottish Independence

Published on
6 May 2014

In recent weeks the gap in opinion polls between those in favour and those against Scottish independence has narrowed from about 10% to about 5%. With some months of campaigning still to go, the vote on 18 September looks increasingly likely to be close. What are the likely political, economic and market implications of a Yes vote?

Too many bulls; not enough beef

Published on
29 April 2014

Since fears about the survival of the Eurozone and potential recessionary impact on the world economy reached a height in September 2011, stock markets around the world have performed strongly. For example, the MSCI World Equity Index has risen by 50% in US Dollar terms.

Budget 2014 Implications

Published on
26 March 2014

This was probably the most important Budget since 2011, which set in place the austerity strategy for this parliament. Its significance lies not so much in the economic or fiscal announcements but more in the area of personal financial planning, allowing investors aged over 55 full access to their Defined Contribution pension assets, and in simplifying and extending the ISA savings rules.

Pages