Economic and market insight
Review of the week
Review of the week: The cost of drama
Markets are riven over weighty questions about the economic strength of our households and businesses clashing with higher living costs, and all the while lurks the menace of unknown consequences created by a rapidly changed world.
8 mins
Review of the week: The world has changed
Money was easy to come by in the 2010s, for businesses, households and governments. With interest rates now much higher, hard decisions loom.
7 mins
Review of the week: Back on track?
Stocks and bonds ended the month – and first quarter –nearing the top ends of the trading ranges in place since late last year. But there’s still much uncertainty about the inflation and growth outlook, particularly if energy prices start rising again.
6 mins
Review of the week: The fear bug strikes again
Strong gains for Europe’s banks last week were reversed by Friday’s close. With the fear bug spreading, can we be confident it won’t strike again?
7 mins
Review of the week: Poof, like magic
Banks are very powerful, but very fragile. That’s because they are dependent on people and their ability to believe.
9 mins
Review of the week: Move fast and break
When banks fail they do so suddenly and the shock can create panic that spreads trouble to other lenders. That’s why US regulators have stepped in swiftly and unambiguously.
9 mins
Review of the week: The bank of mum and dad
UK central bankers fall into an age-old parenting trap while talking to investors. Also, we look at the differences between official statistics and new ‘real-time’ series.
9 mins
Review of the week: A way forward?
A new deal for the Northern Irish border is imminent, bringing hope of greater clarity on Brexit for the UK. Meanwhile, the outlook for global inflation only gets foggier.
8 mins
Review of the week: One year on
The war in Ukraine has caused misery in Eastern Europe, upended global trade and sharpened world politics. An era of cheap hydrocarbons is now behind us, and further energy shocks could be on the horizon.
7 mins
Review of the week: The uncertainty principle
After years of upheaval, huge stimulus and changing habits from work to play, the paths of economic growth and inflation disappear into a fog as thick as a February morning. That’s why we’re still cautious about 2023.
8 mins
Review of the week: Blowing a gale
Markets were fanned higher by US monetary policy before getting driven backwards by contradictory economic winds. Uncertainty still reigns supreme.
7 mins
Review of the week: Everything, everywhere, all at once
It’s a manic week ahead, full of monetary policy, earnings and economic insights. Just the right time for a week of strikes to cause bedlam throughout the UK, from schools to railways.
7 mins
Without good governance, ‘ESG’ falls apart
Responsible investing and capitalism itself are doomed to fail without good corporate governance, argues stewardship director Matt Crossman. It’s the artful science of ensuring company managers are in step with other stakeholders’ interests.
3 mins
If in doubt, say nowt
Our film buff head of multi-asset investments, David Coombs, still hasn’t given up the dream of making it in show biz. Phase one: a brand new podcast for you to enjoy.
3 mins
Supermarket sweep
Braving the commute for the first time in almost 18 months, David Coombs, our head of multi-asset investments, makes his radio cross-over debut.
3 mins
The snowball effect
Fund manager David Harrison explains how the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which began life as an aspirational target for governments around the world, transitioned to an unofficial framework for ESG investing. But can they really make a difference?
4 mins
A changing tide
The looming Olympics must be on the mind of our head of multi-asset investments David Coombs, as he discusses the outlook for the UK.
3 mins
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.
3 mins
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.
4 mins
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.
3 mins
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…
4 mins
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.
3 mins
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.
3 mins
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.
4 mins