Economic and market insight
Review of the week
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
Review of the week: Downcast, but out (spending)
The UK slumps into recession even as people’s spirits and retail sales rise. Meanwhile, trouble may be brewing in American inflation.
5 mins
Hydrogen – the fuel of our future?
Hydrogen is the simplest and most prevalent element in our universe. Yet turning it into clean energy is complicated indeed, notes our sustainable multi-asset investment specialist, Rahab Paracha.
5 mins
In process we trust
A strong investment process is what gets you through ragged markets without making hasty, terrible decisions. But have you actually got a process, or is it simply a bunch of preferences?
3 mins
How to handle hammer time…
When markets get hammered, everything trades together explains business development executive Julianne Smith. And this may open up opportunities for savvy investors.
3 mins
Ice cream is for eating
Some companies are confused about the purpose of purpose, argues David Coombs, our head of multi-asset investments. Products and services should be tailored to their customers, not to fuzzy marketing slogans.
4 mins
Can UK equity income shake off its dinosaur image?
Rathbone Income Fund co-manager Carl Stick explains why he believes the UK equity income sector remains a compelling alternative to more highly valued, crowded alternatives.
3 mins
2022: The year ahead. Maybe?
You’d think that two years of pandemic-induced uncertainty would persuade David Coombs to stop trying to predict the future, yet here we are. Our head of multi-assets gives his lucky dice another blow…
1 min
Not a Christmas quiz
The battle between personal freedom and governmental control is extremely important for economic performance, argues David Coombs, our head of multi-asset investments. It affects consumption, inflation, the currency and investment.
4 mins
How green was your Black Friday?
Lots of companies have lofty green goals, but Rathbone Ethical Bond Fund manager Noelle Cazalis thinks many should be more accountable about their success in meeting them.
4 mins
The blue economy
The ocean makes up 70% of our planet’s surface, yet it gets nowhere near the attention it deserves. Our sustainable multi-asset investment specialist, Rahab Paracha, looks at the next frontier of sustainable action.
4 mins
Own the tent not the circus
COP26 has produced a lot of hot air, argues our head of multi-asset investments David Coombs, and that’s half the climate problem facing the world. The other half is empty gestures and a lack of action.
4 mins
Will it be a good COP?
The eyes of the world are watching the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow. As the parties begin their deliberations this week in Glasgow, Matt Crossman concludes this two-part series by laying out what needs to happen.
3 mins
Cult classic
Scaredy-cat David Coombs, our head of multi-asset investments, explains why assets with overly reverent devotees give him the creeps.
4 mins