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...
Growth, debt and the Titanic…
I was reminded recently that on 14 April it was the anniversary of the Titanic hitting the iceberg, in 1912. Had it hit it head-on, it would not have sunk. Are there analogies here for President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements…?
This is either the fact that 90% of the problem isn’t obvious or maybe that...
Inflation slows but is it the calm before the storm?
While the news inflation slowed in March to 2.6% is welcome and an interest rate cut is widely expected next month, it may simply be a brief glow of light to ward off the spectre of ‘stagflation’ a little longer.
The recent quakes from Trump’s tariffs have subsided for now and some analysts are upbeat...
Tariffs leave shaken shares and markets
Well, the world is still coming to terms with what has been unleashed upon it and the volatility in the financial markets as a result. Not only have shares been shaken-up but other things are not necessarily reacting as they ‘should’ and perhaps for ‘other’ reasons. I am also taking this opportunity to wish...
‘Low key’ Spring Statement contained few surprises
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement did not contain a great deal we hadn’t already heard and no immediate prospects for economic growth.
In a relatively low key affair, Rachel Reeves set out her latest update on the economy and restated plans to cut the welfare budget as well as making cuts to Government departments, as we...
What is likely to happen in today’s Spring Statement?
The Spring Statement is ‘not a Budget’ says the Chancellor as she prepares to unveil her plans for the UK economy in Parliament today (Wednesday).
Rachel Reeves has already pledged she will not be raising taxes, saying this would only happen with ‘one financial event a year’ – the Autumn Budget but measures announced will...
US wobbling subsides – for now
Volatile US stocks
Volatility led by the US has escalated quite dramatically. It's impacted market values – especially some US tech cos and Nasdaq has drifted 10% now but the concerns over tariffs and the Ukraine situation and the US reaction to it, let alone clumsy politics and diplomacy, have not helped. Suddenly Nvidia and Tesla aren't...
What does US inflation mean for the UK?
Inflation in the United States rose more than expected last month to 3% - exactly the same rate as here in the UK, funnily enough!
‘Unpredictable’ best describes the start of Donald Trump’s presidency as his proposed tariffs on imported goods look likely to push up prices for American consumers.
The rate of inflation ‘over there’...