Happy Christmas one and all
A very Happy Christmas to one and all! Hopefully you and your families had a lovely day yesterday? Let’s also trust for a settled, positive 2026 with resolution to long-outstanding issues like the Russian aggression against Ukraine and some dynamic and long-term solutions for Israel and the Palestinians.
We have had some good economic news...
Is the economy in good hands?
So we enter a new era with Labour ‘less trusted on the economy than Liz Truss’ Conservatives according to the last YouGov Poll. Indeed, the descent of the Labour dream seems to have been as sharp as the fall in YouGov’s share price now somewhat sorry for itself too and like Labour’s fortunes.
I predict...
Toothless Budget lacked real drive
For readers here, the biggest pieces of good news were what she didn’t do, such as attacking pension tax-free lump sums or tax relief on contributions, no lifetime Inheritance Tax on gifts or changes to present allowances and no changes to CGT. We did our best to discourage people from taking their cash from...
Stamp duty shenanigans dent confidence
Interesting times with politics and Stamp Duty shenanigans. They all affect investor sentiment too and confidence and upsets are not helpful. I do feel slightly sorry for Angela Rayner on this one in that one relies upon those completing the process to know what Stamp Duty to pay but of course if they were...
Savings, tax and stocks to hold?
Last week we were greeted with even higher inflation figures, apparently fuelled by higher aviation costs though primarily the problem remains reaction to the Government’s increases in Minimum Wage, National Insurance and other business costs and taxes. Curiously, at the same time the cost of oil and gas has been very weak but not...
US stocks and the Budget
Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc in Florida but nothing like the worst expected. We trust this namesake won’t be doing the same with markets! Helen was not so impressed it followed right after Hurricane Helene as well. This is a once-in-a-lifetime storm, we were told and as ever, the risk to life the biggest fear...