The politics of investment?
So the Dow Jones pushed up again, breaching 40,000 and almost double its March 2020 pandemic low. At the depth of the financial crisis in 2009, it was 7,062. Still, you know my sentiments in the short-term here... what possibly could go wrong over there?
How are investments similar to politics?
Well, here’s one. Over the...
General Election issues for the markets?
A General Election looms! So the Dow Jones has pushed higher again, breaching 40,000 and almost double its March 2020 pandemic low. At the depth of the financial crisis in 2009, it was 7,062. Still, you know my sentiments in the short-term here... what possibly could go wrong over there?
The UK has been pushing...
Fortune’s coin has flipped
Hasn’t it been lovely to actually have some real spring weather for a change! The Garden is looking lovely, with clematis, azaleas and wisteria either in bloom or soon, complemented by apple blossom, early bedding plants and the grass in otherwise muddy areas finally showing signs of recovery, from such a wet start to...
Markets, investments and taxes
Good afternoon. Well, the UK market is progressing comfortably whilst the US has slipped-back. Our clients’ 5 April reports will be landing on door mats imminently and it is pleasing to note that generally gentle progress has continued since then.
BHP makes an audacious bid for UK-quoted Anglo American, owner of DeBeers amongst other mining...
Markets rebound despite Middle East troubles
The markets are hoping that Middle-Eastern concerns have not escalated and after initial worries, markets have rebounded and the oil price slipped-back again. Let us be hopeful that is a permanent state of affairs though the Israel Hostage and Palestine situation does not go away.
The UK and the US have approved further sums for...
The new tax year – what are the market movers and shakers?
I hope that you have had a good Easter. Welcome to the new tax year, a time for opportunity to maximise your ISA and Pension allowances for example – better earlier than later! Watch-out too as the Taxman cometh if you have too much in dividends, interest or investment gains as the tax-free allowances...
Happy Easter musings and the financial markets
Sterling efforts in some quarters
It hasn’t been noted prominently anywhere but despite recent slippage, Sterling had been quietly moving forwards. It has been at the highest against the US Dollar since July last year; a few more cents and it will be the highest since April 2022. It even pushed higher against the Euro too, its highest since...
Spring Budget reflections
Well, what did you think of the Budget? A new ‘Great British ISA’ with an extra £5,000 investment is interesting and details are awaited. We shall be providing these, I am sure. The Chancellor's also abolishing the principle of a ‘furnished holiday let’. That is interesting and suggests no more Small Business Rate Relief...