Uncertainty and wobbles on global stage
Some really positive news from the Middle East at last. Whatever you think of him, well done President Trump for being the catalyst – time to move onto Russia in earnest now. Let us hope that this awful conflict will also be over very soon now.
Sadly, economically at home, unemployment rises, wage growth slows,...
UK growth pains, our 40th and testimonials
Oh dear, so the latest UK economics’ figures for the month suggest there was zero growth (and also August’s government borrowing was higher than expected as well). As I have shared before, chancellors pre-spend their projection of economic growth’s increased tax revenues so when it doesn’t happen… and the flip side is then more...
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...
Our 40th and great numbers
The UK Economy grew by 0.3% in the first quarter – which is good news though some of it is clawing-back losses from before. However, the underlying trend shows very little improvement and as noted last time, the general employment situation is worsening.
In a nutshell (and stating the obvious), the more unemployed and the...
‘Unexpected’ inflation really wasn’t
So we have been greeted with an ‘unexpected’ 3.6% inflation and unemployment rising at the same time that vacancies are diminishing (the lowest since Covid). Anyone reading these eshots and realising the increases in costs on employers would not have seen these two things as ‘unexpected’ at all.
Indeed, perhaps the Government should subscribe to...
Inflation remains stubborn
So, inflation remain stubbornly high at 3.4% despite people not feeling especially confident about spending. So much of our outgoings now go towards ‘tax’ of course and we don’t have any control over that (but government does)… So businesses and organisations are obliged to increase their prices to cover increased costs (especially employment but...
Trump/Musk split but record wealth levels for us
Crisis, what crisis? All good here!
Before anything else, have a really lovely Bank Holiday weekend. I shall be helping at Braunton Fair on Monday and catching-up tomorrow…
Crisis? What crisis? Could be the question our investors pose about the recent Trumpian-created volatility as we seemed to sail-through unscathed and emerging from the other side seemingly in better shape than when...