Which safe haven assets actually protect investors?
Safe assets are a crucial component of any investment portfolio, providing stability and security in times of market volatility. Traditionally, safe assets have included cash, money market funds, and government bonds. However, not all government bonds are created equal, as evidenced by the surge in sovereign bond defaults in 2020. Countries with a strong track […]
Lessons from Fundsmith’s 2025 meeting
The annual shareholder meeting for Fundsmith Equity (GB00B4Q5X527) took place in late February and is now available for viewing online. The fund has seen substantial long-term gains, but it underperformed the MSCI World index for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. As global markets have been dominated by US tech giants, 2025 presents new challenges […]
The gold miners set to mirror the precious metal’s surge
With the threat of a global trade war on the horizon, many investors are turning to precious metals as a safe haven for their capital. While central banks in emerging markets have traditionally influenced the market, retail investors also play a significant role in determining the price of gold. Analysts at UBS predict that the […]
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 […]