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As Autumn sets in there is a notably cooler breeze whistling through the economy and financial markets. Current economic activity data which has been flashing amber weather warnings in manufacturing for some months has more recently lowered expectations for the larger services sector. Investors could be forgiven for expecting a perfect storm and as we […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
So far 2019 has been an interesting, eventful and in many ways, unusual year. Political uncertainty, poor economic growth expectations, muted inflationary pressures, fears about a worldwide recession and ever lower, sometimes negative, interest rates have dominated headlines. We have yo-yoed between US-China trade wars and truce. Amid political deadlock in the UK we have […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB for short) was announced in the 2015 summer budget and came into effect on 6th April 2017. Despite the fact this was introduced almost two and a half years ago, it’s still an area of confusion for the majority of people. In this Question and Answer session, our Chairman […]
Category: Business, Financial Planning, Investment management, Thought pieces
The debate about where we are in the global economic cycle rages on, and the range of opinions appears to be widening not narrowing. The US Federal Reserve Chairman believes we are in a “mid-cycle adjustment” yet observers of the trade war between the US and China, the political unrest in Hong Kong or the […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a deeply unpopular tax. People dislike the thought of double taxation; an extra layer of tax on assets which have been accumulated by thrift and saving from income or capital gains which have been taxed already. Although IHT is indeed one of the most hated and feared taxes, a recent report […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
In “Jerry Maguire”, a film about a sports agent, the hero’s client demands to be shown “the money”. The agent finds himself dancing to the tune of the only man he represents. And so, it is with stock markets which at the moment are obsessed with how Central Banks will react to slowing growth and […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
Politics continues to dominate both stock market and general economic sentiment. In particular, the continuing trade dispute between the USA and China is a focus of concern for investors, as higher import tariffs start to come into effect. Sentiment has also been impacted in the technology sector by the US targeting Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
CHINA-US TRADE WAR—THREAT OR OPPORTUNITY? In recent years, many financial commentators have been predicting the end of globalisation and a move into a multi-polar world order, with disenchantment over widening income and wealth distribution driving a changed environment. The US trade war with China is an obvious recent example. In this commentary, we consider the […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces
WOODFORD EQUITY INCOME FUND Clients will no doubt have seen some of the extensive press comments on the recent dealing restrictions placed on this fund by the Fund Manager. This Clarion commentary on the events leading up to the dealing suspension might be of interest and provide reassurance to our clients. Clarion considered investing in […]
Category: Business, Thought pieces