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...
A dubious watershed?
Inflation, deflation and market views
US inflation figures are higher than hoped (3.1% v 2.9% expected), jolting the market again and pushing Euro:Sterling to the highest since August 2022 and strengthening the Dollar.
Our inflation at 4% was slightly less than expected but we have now entered ‘Recession’ with ‘two quarters of negative growth’ – good in attacking inflation but...
Are you confident about your retirement plan?
A recent study by Standard Life has shown that less than one in 10 of those aged over 65 feel confident about managing their retirement finances.
Retirement is of course an uncertain time for many people, whether financially or simply the trepidation of entering the unknown and perhaps not knowing how you might spend your...
Consumer confidence
‘Consumer Confidence’ has risen for the third month and now at a two-year high, regardless of what negativity you may hear in the media. This seems to be supported by buoyant consumer spending since last autumn as well.
It’s good, as it will reflect in economic output but will too much enthusiasm dampen the Chancellor’s...
Bitcoin (just don’t!) and serious salary sizes
Regular readers will know our views on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies – a ‘Ponzi’ scheme not backed up by anything tangible and a lesson in losing money waiting to happen for some investors.
Nonetheless, it seems the Securities and Exchange Commission, which oversees and regulates the securities markets and protects investors in the US, has seen...
Autumn market musings
I am going to be signing-off for a few weeks now for a much-needed proper break, (excluding Christmas) the first since July last year, so am completing an eshot just before I disappear.
Of course I shall be keeping more than a wary eye on things and especially the markets (the joys of global internet...
Better after the storm
I hope that your hatches are battened-down adequately against the latest storm bringing wild and wet conditions across much of the UK. Do keep safe.
So after a law firm’s review, Nat West shares plunged more on the comments into the shenanigans over the attempted removal of Mr Nigel Farage’s account than the latest quarter’s...
Market sentiment and what it means
Good afternoon. The horrors from the Middle East have not abated. The whole situation is so sad and it is impossible to predict the outcomes. In ways not seen in past decades and centuries, the inert hatred from certain quarters seems to have also manifested itself across the World, in civilised populations which have...