Economic and market insight
Review of the week: Getting there
An economic upswing is in force in the US and UK, even Europe is getting its act together. A full-blown boom may be on the cards for the rest of 2021, but that doesn’t necessarily mean smooth sailing for stock markets.
Review of the week: Earning favour
Company profits are bouncing back fast in 2021, but we are not out of the COVID cavern yet. If the virus remains unchecked in South America and Asia, it may weigh on global growth.
Review of the week: Fun, in a coat
The air is cold but the company is warm. England wraps up for the reopening of pubs and restaurants.
Review of the week: A chill wind blows
A week of Fed watching cooled the recent rise in US Treasury yields, sending the dollar and sterling lower. Then British flags followed suit.
Review of the week: Resurrection
The US economy is rocketing towards recovery, with jobs, confidence and output soaring amid a strong vaccination drive and stimulus. Next on the list, investment in clean energy.
Review of the week: The delicate web of trade
The strands of trade connecting markets are as important to our living standards as they are fragile. A stranded ship in the Suez highlights both points at once.
Review of the week: Calm in the eye of the storm
As the fight against COVID-19 continues, economies are beginning to reopen. Are we about to experience a typhoon of activity to mirror the huge slumps of 2020?
Review of the week: Cheques and balances
The average American family has received $11,400 of government cheques since the pandemic began. That’s a big windfall for people and a difficult economic puzzle for the US Federal Reserve to decipher.
Review of the week: America rising
The US is about to turn on the spending taps once again to combat the effects of the pandemic. This time it coincides with the reopening, so expectations for GDP growth are soaring – taking yields with them.
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Welcome to the big leagues
Just a few short years ago, only those in the know were talking about sustainable investing. Today it seems to be everywhere. All that’s missing is a global standard for measuring a company’s ESG performance, says David Harrison, manager of the Rathbone Greenbank Global Sustainability Fund.
No-frills financial services
Freshly double-jabbed, head of multi-asset investments David Coombs ventures out in search of rock loaf. He finds finance is changing quickly, which is important for how the industry makes its own bread.
Quality over quantity
Sustainable investing may be known for its values and principles, but there are other advantages for investors. David Harrison explains how companies that embrace ESG are more likely to be more resilient over the long term.
Yes, fund manager
Once the pandemic is in the rear view, the UK has the chance to remake itself, argues our Minister for Administrative Affairs, David Coombs. Or is he our head of multi-asset investments…
The Biden effect
After four years of ambivalence towards the environment under Donald Trump, the Oval Office has a new occupant and a new agenda. David Harrison, manager of the Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund, says it will likely be all systems go under the new president.
Step by step
Earnings season has mostly gone well and analysts have increased their forecasts for future profits. As long as the vaccine rollout continues and any new variants stay under control, we should be in for a rejuvenating summer, for businesses and for our wellbeing.
ESG – bubble or eggsponential growth?
ESG investing has risen in popularity during the pandemic, driven by concern for the climate and society. With rising costs and uncertain returns on his ill-thought through chicken venture, Will McIntosh-Whyte is reminded you ignore the fundamentals at your peril.
The tie that binds
Sustainable investing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing returns. But fund manager Will McIntosh-Whyte argues even the most noble companies need solid long-term fundamentals to be truly sustainable.
Moving in the right direction?
Given how many people are driving electric cars and carrying re-usable coffee cups these days, it seems many consumers are aware of climate change risks. But what about social and governance risks?