Economic and market insight
Review of the week
Review of the week: New year, new hope
Markets were buoyed by fading American inflation, but they may be getting ahead of themselves. Meanwhile, the UK high street reports some rare good news.
7 mins
Review of the week: An exceptional year
One for the ages, 2022 was a whirlwind year that shook up economies and markets. What’s in store for 2023?
8 mins
Review of the week: 2022 wrapped up
We look back at a grim year for financial markets. The rebound in the last few months seems to offer investors some relief, but can we be confident that the worst is over?
5 mins
Review of the week: The upside down
Watchers of Netflix’s Stranger Things will know the Upside Down isn’t a cheery place to be. So what’s going on in bond markets?
6 mins
Review of the week: Behind the curtain
More is going on behind the curtain of modern China than its leaders would have you believe, if increasing unrest is anything to go by. Meanwhile, Europeans cross their fingers for a mild winter.
7 mins
Review of the week: Inflation slows, stocks surge
Stocks flew higher after inflation came in lower than expected. It’s tough and getting tougher for businesses and families though, especially in the UK.
6 mins
Review of the week: Imaginings and disappointments
Central banks are doggedly raising interest rates. Investors hopeful for a change of tack may continue to be disappointed for a while yet.
7 mins
Review of the week: Big Tech’s scary sell-off
Investors got spooked as Big Tech’s quarterly results showed they weren’t immune to economic headwinds, driving brutal sell-offs. Meanwhile, the UK government’s huge about-face seems to be reaping a ‘dullness dividend’.
6 mins
Review of the week: The price of milk
Inflation continues to eat away at shoppers’ spending power, both in the UK and abroad. Meanwhile, how do currency fluctuations affect investment returns?
10 mins
Review of the week: More than full circle
New Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reversed virtually everything announced in the Truss-Kwarteng mini-budget in a bid to stabilise markets after weeks of turmoil.
9 mins
Review of the week: Credibility is the currency
The Bank of England has kept the gilt market greased and the Chancellor has brought forward the date he will reveal his detailed fiscal plans, easing pressure on the UK. Meanwhile, inflation still reigns supreme in investors’ minds.
7 mins
Review of the week: Maelstrom
Soaring bonds yields sent mortgage rates skyrocketing. However, they also upended pension funds in a nasty feedback loop that threatened to send many of them to the wall.
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