Off-piste, risk and the economy
Having grabbed a week to visit Chamonix and on one day to travel up to Aiguille du Midi (3,842 metres) to view Mont Blanc (4,805metres), gave me an opportunity to see ‘risk’ in a different context. The height, the highest I have ever been excluding flights, puts risk in a different perspective altogether
The engineering...
Good value, gold and Blackstone
Good afternoon. We hear BP may be in play as Elliott Investors in the US has accumulated a stake in one of our biggest companies. It’s ridiculously good value regardless and hasn’t kept up with other energy stocks. Meantime, our funds under management see yet new heights which is good, as many deep value...
Trump tariffs and market wobbles
We woke to face the reverberations from the threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico by President Trump, amongst others and the EU and possibly the UK next. The markets are wobbling and the Dollar strengthening as it is feared the US will have to raise interest rates to support its policies as well as...
New Year greetings and 2024 review
Inflation drops and Budget looms
So UK inflation surprised to the downside – good news. This should lead the Bank of England to keep its promise to cut interest rates. The only fly in the ointment is what government bonds tell us? They’re worried globally but specifically in the UK about the Budget and probable extra borrowing (via these...
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...
Interest rates and investment trusts
Our 39th anniversary as a wealth manager
Well, the years rush past... August marked the Firm’s 39th anniversary. From a lowly beginning to becoming one of the largest independent financial advisory and wealth management firms in the area and now discretionarily managing over £1/4billion, we trust with a reputation to reflect that success for itself, its staff and most importantly for...
Sterling effort, investment and taxes
The US Dollar’s the lowest against Sterling since April 2022. That’s a 20% ascent for Sterling since the Sept 2022 low. It has been weaker these last few weeks as it is expected that interest rates will be cut even though US inflation readings are mixed. Currency volatility can work for you or against...