Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 2 2021 (1 April – 30 June 2021) Equities Hit New Highs
The global economy has continued to recover strongly in the second quarter of 2021 as vaccination programmes have been accelerated and unprecedented financial support from governments and central banks has continued. In recent weeks this has resulted in a reduction in volatility and a relative calm in markets. Strong market performance has been based on […]
US Economy Shows Strong Recovery in Q1 2021
US GDP bounced 6.4% in Q1 2021, its largest first quarter rise since 1984 and beating estimates of 6.1%. GDP is now less than 1% lower than pre-pandemic. In addition, the US property market has rebounded strongly. The economic recovery can be attributed to strong consumer spending after the enormous fiscal stimulus of trillions of […]
Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 1 2021 (1 January – 31 March 2021) Equities Cap Best Year Since 1930s
The global economy is expected to rebound strongly in 2021 by 5.5% according to the IMF as vaccination programmes with continuing financial support from governments around the world bring an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Accordingly, the year started brightly continuing the market growth of the second half of 2020. Indeed, the US equity market […]
Budget 3 March 2021 – Personal Finance Measures
The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak delivered a Budget which is characterised as spend now and tax later, the aim being to stimulate and support the British economy. As expected, the furlough scheme has been extended to 30 September with employers being required to contribute from July as the economy re-opens. This currently supports around 4m workers. […]
Bond Market Volatility
The weather in March is known for its harshness and unpredictability, captured by the proverb: ‘In like a lion and out like a lamb.’ After nine months of strong equity market performance, bond yields surged last week leading to a spike in market volatility with consequences for both bonds and growth focused equities. The surge […]
Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 4 2020 (1 October – 31 December 2020) Roaring 20s Beckon
Global markets rallied an impressive 8% in the last three months of 2020 into a headwind of sterling appreciation, and notching up an overall gain for the year of 13% (MSCI World). The Santa rally in the lead up to Christmas duly arrived this year to soothe frayed nerves after a rollercoaster for much of […]
Coronavirus Lockdown: 5 November – 2 December 2020- Contingency Plans
As the situation with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) currently stands, and based on our contingency plans and latest advice, we are confident that we can continue to provide our service to our clients. To minimise any risk to colleagues and clients, we are taking the following precautions: Exeter officeUnless government guidance dictates otherwise, our office remains open with […]
Grounds for Cautious Optimism for Investment Markets
After the euphoric reaction to the apparent breakthrough on the coronavirus vaccine last week and the US Presidential election result, where are we heading with investments as we head into the last six weeks of 2020? Markets Jump on Coronavirus Vaccine Breakthrough Certainly, the path of coronavirus around the world and its economic impact continues […]
New Model Adviser Top 100 Firm 2020 for fifth year
We are delighted that for a fifth year in a row, we have been named as one of the top 100 UK financial advice firms in the UK by the respected Citywire company, New Model Adviser. The criteria for inclusion in this prestigious top 100 was based on survey responses assessed using a point-scoring system, […]
Market Overview & Outlook Quarter 3 2020 (1 July – 30 September 2020) Coronavirus Reality Check
Global markets have reflected the delicate balance between the re-opening of the economy and containing the spread of coronavirus in the third quarter of 2020. In July and August, markets registered some impressive gains as governments pushed ahead with encouraging life to return to normal; in the UK, the government encouraged individuals to ‘eat out […]