Two things to expect in the Spring Statement
The upcoming Spring Statement has taken on a new level of importance as events unfold that challenge the Chancellor’s financial plans. With the fiscal headroom disappearing due to increased debt levels and borrowing exceeding projections, the state of the nation’s finances is under scrutiny. Weak productivity growth rates pose a significant risk to public finances, […]
It’s time for a rules reset
The investment landscape in the UK and US markets has been a tale of two cities in recent years. Investors have been faced with a choice between undervalued British shares and overpriced US stocks. The constant flow of capital out of the UK into the US, particularly in the tech sector, has been hard to […]
Why the FTSE 100 is on for a repeat of 2022
Investor sentiment in the US has seen a shift in 2025, with a possible move away from “irrational exuberance” towards a more fundamental approach to portfolio allocations. This change is reflected in the recent decline in the value of tech stocks, which had been driving US indices to post-war highs. The tech sector, particularly artificial […]
What Labour’s EU reset means for the economy
The European Union is experiencing a period of rapid change and action, reminiscent of Lenin’s famous quote about weeks where decades happen. The bloc had been facing economic stagnation, exacerbated by tensions with the US and strained relations over a Ukraine peace deal. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s call for Europe to achieve independence from the […]
What to expect from the Spring Statement
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a ‘Spring Statement’ later this month, with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) releasing new forecasts for the UK economy on 26 March. Unlike the major announcements made during the Autumn Budget last year, this Spring Statement will be a more subdued event. However, it will still provide […]
What investors should make of the Assura bid
Investors were quickly thrown into the first takeover battle of the year, with a focus on larger real estate investment trusts (Reits) this time around. The news of US private equity firm KKR’s bid of 48p per share for Assura (AGR) made headlines on 14 February. Despite the board’s unanimous rejection of the bid, questions […]
Why Asian dividends are on the rise
In a recent turn of events at the White House, a public altercation has reminded us that we are living in a time of great uncertainty and volatility. This unpredictability extends to the financial markets, where geopolitical tensions can have a significant impact on investment decisions. It is no wonder then that there has been […]
The real cost of Donald Trump’s plan
Global trade has faced numerous challenges in recent years, from the impact of the pandemic to issues like piracy and impassable canals. Now, a new obstacle has emerged in the form of a tariff war initiated by Donald Trump as part of his ‘America first’ agenda. The implementation of higher tariffs on imports from countries […]
How water companies could save billions
Water scarcity is a pressing issue that is only expected to worsen with the changing climate. The Environment Agency has identified certain areas in the UK as ‘water-stressed’, meaning they are at risk of facing droughts or floods. To combat these challenges, water and sewerage companies are gearing up for a massive £24bn investment to […]
A slimmed-down market is bad for everyone
The potential exodus of major companies from London’s stock market has raised concerns among investors and industry experts. Last year, Shell’s decision to remain in London was seen as a relief, but the risk of other companies following suit or being taken over has only increased. Shell, under the leadership of CEO Wael Sawan, is […]