Philip's Comments Archives - Philip J Milton & Company Plc

‘Goldilocks’ economy is proving elusive

July saw a ½% slip in our economy, partly to do with the lack of productivity from strikes and partly the weather affecting things like construction. Sterling has been weak too – partly too as a consequence of the expectation that interest rate rises to stem inflation (which is falling dramatically) have come to...

Better news for the economy?

Well, curious admissions from the IMF and feeding-through to the ONS. Everyone puts such store of value on economic statistics only to find that all the criticisms about our sluggish economy over the last few years were wrong... what is worse, however, is the deluge of commentators sarcastically loving to ‘rubbish’ the efforts of...

Should you follow the trends?

Well, more encouraging inflation figures from shop price rises buoyed our market after the Bank Holiday. That said, who noticed that up till then, the global markets had retracted by 5% ($3trillion) in the month (the calculated losses from the S&P500, China’s CSI300 and Europe’s Stoxx600). This was affected by China and its banks’ distress...

Is inflation deflating? And is your adviser clued up?

Inflation is coming-down – only 6.8% and for the first time since 2021, lower than the increase in average pay (including bonuses etc). Food inflation is dropping even faster. Some of the reasons are ‘pigs in pythons’ – when a big increase a year ago drops-out of the figures. The next big hit will be...

Anniversary time and awkward markets

Am not sure if I should be feeling old or not... am just passing the 38th anniversary of when for the first time I was sitting at my desk in the small office in my parents’ home in Georgeham, the first day of my business after I had given-up a promising career in mainstream...

Rising rates, what we look for and dubious practices

So, credit agencies have downgraded the US for its financial stability and the market there has taken a turn downwards. What does it mean? Of course we shall be assessing that as we do our utmost to manage clients’ investments wisely and their financial affairs. However, it’s a blow for Mr Biden’s hopes for...

Kinder markets and when to move?

I took a couple of days’ break to attend our Daughter Esme’s graduation and the markets were good to us and there’s now one more NHS Doctor. Perhaps I need to take more time away if it helps so many of our investments rise in value...! It is interesting however – we try our hardest...

Gilts, Sterling recovery and markets

So the UK Government has sold the most expensive Gilt since 2007, paying 5.668% till redemption in October 2025. That is significantly higher than the rates which were applying only a few years ago. Unless inflation abates (and wage figures today don’t help) then the cost of servicing the National Debt will rocket and...

Odd markets, bubbles and opportunity

The markets have been continuing their sideways negativity, with some situations suffering ‘death by a thousand cuts’, as sentiment remains disillusioned. There are a few brighter spots this week, which is good but it’s easier for the marketmakers to mark things in red to try to drum-up trade than give optimism for the near...

Inflation and cautious optimism

So Sterling has hit its highest level against the Dollar since April last year and the Euro since August. Whilst it reduces the value of investors’ overseas’ assets, strength is positive and I can say ‘expected’ though whether it is on confidence in the UK and our economic prowess (or others’ regression) is hard...

‘Goldilocks’ economy is proving elusive

Better news for the economy?

Should you follow the trends?

Is inflation deflating? And is your adviser clued up?

Anniversary time and awkward markets

Rising rates, what we look for and dubious practices

Kinder markets and when to move?

Gilts, Sterling recovery and markets

Odd markets, bubbles and opportunity

Inflation and cautious optimism

Risk Warning

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Philip J Milton & Company Plc

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