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Paying for it – the major economies ponder their balance sheets
10 September 2021Last week, we noted the increasing importance of fiscal policy, and sure enough this week the UK kicked-off the new school year with a big fiscal bang. National Insurance contributions are on the rise, along with a further tax...
Politics and policy sit at the head of the table
3 September 2021This week has felt a bit like the whole month of August. Equity markets (North America and Europe) were in the green over the past few days, and then on Friday expressed their disappointment over the weak US jobs report. Market...
Fed tapering: the ‘how’ matters more than ‘when’
27 August 2021Questions over when and how the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would begin tapering its monthly securities purchases has been much talked about over the last few months. But ahead of today’s keynote speech at the Jackson Hole symposium,...
Markets hit a bit of to and fro
20 August 2021Investors would be forgiven to think that this week’s downdraft in global stock markets was in reaction to the rapid unfolding of the tragic events in Kabul, Afghanistan. However, as long-time observers of risk asset markets...
Climbing the wall of worry – again
13 August 2021August continues to be what one would expect from the middle of the summer: quiet. Yet for investors, it is also pleasing that stock markets around the world are gradually nudging upwards, allowing them to remain relaxed wherever...
Mega techs under the cosh
6 August 2021After an unexciting July in terms of investment returns, August has made a strong start, with US job markets figures delivering a much-appreciated positive surprise today, while corporate earnings reports continue to support elevated...