Economic and market insight
Review of the week
Review of the week: The cavalry (finally) arrives
The pandemic is spreading rapidly in the US, which is now following the rest of the West into self-isolation. Beware of leverage and expect dividend cuts, warns our chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth.
5 mins
Review of the week: Throwing the kitchen sink
The UK government has unveiled a phenomenal package of support to try to stem layoffs and backstop society. Now people have to lend their support to each other, argues our chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth.
7 mins
Review of the week: The fury of the storm
The pandemic has pounded global markets, spreading fear and upending commerce and people’s lives. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth plots a path through the chaos.
8 mins
Review of the week: Markets slip on oil
As Saudi Arabia fires the first shot in an oil price war, our chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth considers the longer-term implications in light of the Covid-19 epidemic. He also looks at the surprising results of Super Tuesday and the narrowing Democratic race for the White House.
5 mins
Review of the week: A long shadow
As markets take a respite from their worst week of selling since the dark days of the Lehman’s collapse, our chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth considers the longer-term implications for investors, and also looks at the narrowing Democratic primary race to take on Donald Trump.
5 mins
Review of the week: Fear spreads too
As economic fears spread along with the widening global outbreak of coronavirus, our chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth considers the implications for investors. He also ponders whether the economy will continue to be a ‘Trump’ card for the US President as November elections approach.
5 mins
Review of the week: No love lost
This year Valentine’s Day was clouded by news of Chancellor Sajid Javid leaving Number 11 and the ongoing spread of coronavirus around the globe. But the markets took it all in their stride, notes chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth.
5 mins
Review of the week: Fisheries and finance
Will the pull of the heart prevail against the mind in Brexit negotiations? Will a nasty outbreak of flu be the start of a beautiful friendship between Trump and Xi? Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth is dubious.
7 mins
Review of the week: The king of viruses?
An aggressive flu has disrupted the Chinese New Year and put the world on high alert. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth thinks it’s a bit early to panic, but that could soon be overtaken by a fast-moving virus.
6 mins
Review of the week: America first
China and the US have signed a one-sided trade deal that has got investors excited about the year ahead. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth notes recession concerns have been well and truly supplanted.
6 mins
Review of the week: Sky rockets in flight
Stock markets went bananas last year as China and the US appeared to finally agree on trade. But then the killing of a top Iranian general set off geopolitical fireworks. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth mulls the consequences.
7 mins
Review of the week : A Christmas Carol
Boris Johnson has won a strong mandate to get on with his Brexit deal, sending sterling shooting higher. But there’s something unusual going on with UK stocks, notes chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth.
5 mins
Peak prices
The Bank of England (BoE) raised rates in early November from 0.25% to 0.5%. A decent boost from the services sector helped third-quarter GDP grow by a faster than expected 0.4%, a solid enough justification for the hike.
5 mins
Counting currency
British investors may get a shock when they look at their returns this month. For those investing in sterling, overseas stock market performances were downright dismal
4 mins
In the eye of the storm
A North Korean missile, potentially capable of carrying a nuclear payload, soared over Japan in late August and sunk into the Sea of Japan. In response, 10-year Japanese government bond (JGBs) yields sunk too, from 0.009% to -0.009%.
5 mins
All at sea
Currencies bounced around last month as investors debated the strength of the UK’s Brexit negotiating position, whether the Federal Reserve (Fed) will slow its rate hikes, and if the European Central Bank will soon cut the number of bonds it buys each month as part of its quantitative easing programme.
4 mins
The price is right
Inflation has flared up again in the UK, but that doesn’t mean the globe is awash with soaring prices.
4 mins