Economic and market insight
Review of the week
Review of the week: The cycle of hope
A run of weaker data is rekindling expectations of US interest rate cuts. They’re more likely to arrive on the other side of the Atlantic, yet even there risks of overoptimism remain.
5 mins
Review of the week: The Federal Reserve riddle
Fading strength in the labour market and services businesses have increased hopes that interest rates can still be cut this year. Everybody is watching the Fed watch the data.
5 mins
Review of the week: Taking stock of GDP
The great uncertainty over whether and when US interest rates will fall took a twist with first-quarter GDP. Much slower growth, offsetting dynamics and higher inflation are creating a puzzle.
6 mins
Review of the week: Spending the big bucks
The mean-average American family is worth $1 million after years of soaring growth, wealth and income. This matters for inflation, future interest rates and the strength of the dollar.
6 mins
Review of the week: Middle-Eastern tensions rise further
An Iranian missile attack on Israel was thwarted over the weekend. While markets are calm, risks of escalation linger.
6 mins
Review of the week: Is the door slamming on early rate cuts?
A blowout jobs report is tipping bets towards fewer US interest rate cuts this year. What happens if inflation continues to bounce higher this week?
4 mins
Review of the week: This rally is broadening...
A resilient economy is giving investors increased confidence to move beyond the Magnificent Seven and into corners of the market that have lagged. This broadening trend is very encouraging.
4 mins
Review of the week: Downward bound
After the flurry of central bank decisions last week, what did we learn about when (and how much) the big hitters plan to cut rates?
5 mins
Review of the week: Land of the rising prices
In a wave of central bank meetings this week, one of them is truly different. While all other developed world policymakers are pondering rate cuts, only Japan is considering rate hikes.
5 mins
Review of the week: Hazy data
Problems with UK labour surveys are making it hard to know the true rate of unemployment. Meanwhile, the Chancellor releases a tax-cutting Budget that leaves the next government with tough choices.
5 mins
Review of the week: Tax cuts or a conservative Budget?
The Chancellor hopes to narrow Labour’s yawning lead in opinion polls with a tax-cutting Budget. Giveaways may be stymied by a poor economy and higher costs of public services.
6 mins
Review of the week: Planning to fail
Obstructive planning laws are curtailing the supply of homes in the UK, the regulator says. Meanwhile, the quality of building is slipping, suggesting we’re wrapped up in the wrong red tape.
4 mins
Insomnia in the trenches
The shock of the pandemic has made many businesses question how and why they do things. You shouldn’t underestimate how valuable these re-evaluations are, argues head of multi-asset investments David Coombs. Or underestimate the changes they could have on the future.
3 mins
Who’d be a pollster?
The US election is coming down to the wire, with President Donald Trump prematurely claiming victory as votes are still being counted feverishly all over the country. Of all the years, head of multi-asset investments David Coombs laments, this one could have done with an early, decisive result.
2 mins
Nightmare on Tottenham Court Road (Street)
There’s a creaking and a groaning in the night in Swindon. Head of multi-asset investments David Coombs is living with a ghost of retail past that not even store credit can bury.
5 mins
Why the recovery will be green
Rather than being a reason to press pause on the transformation of economies and societies, Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund manager Noelle Cazalis makes the case that COVID-19 could well be a catalyst for growth in sustainable solutions and the bonds that will fund them.
3 mins
Changing the planet
A growing number of people are questioning how their pensions and other savings are invested. Rathbones’ stewardship director Matt Crossman explains why he firmly believes we can make the world a better place through our investments, and how best to do it.
4 mins
A healthy recovery
Stewardship director Matt Crossman makes the case for a healthy and responsible recovery – building back better from COVID-19.
5 mins
Ch…Ch…Changes?
They say a change is as good as a holiday. Yet head of multi-asset investments David Coombs has just come back from a fortnight away and thinks the status quo will suit his investments just fine.
4 mins
Storm in a tech cup
After months cooped up inside, our multi-asset portfolios fund manager Will McIntosh-Whyte headed away for a well-deserved Cornish holiday … where a brace of storms kept him cooped up inside.
3 mins
Destructive capitalism
The pandemic has radically changed how we work. That makes propping up struggling companies a dangerous pastime for the government, argues our head of multi-asset investments David Coombs.
4 mins
Biden his time
Former Vice President Joe Biden – well ahead in the US presidential election polls – is due to announce his running mate next week. Investors will be wary of any nod to the left wing of his party, but our head of asset allocation Ed Smith notes the large hurdles a progressive agenda would face even if Biden wins.
3 mins
The great property shakeout
COVID may be about to rock the property world to its foundations. Such dislocations tend to create opportunities for investors, notes head of multi-asset investments David Coombs, but they don’t come without risk.
5 mins
Where the wind blows
Rathbone Global Sustainability Fund manager David Harrison discusses the rise of renewable energy and how it is making a more sustainable world.
3 mins