US rates rise for a third time in 2017
December 2017 The US Federal Reserve (Fed) raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points at its December meeting. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has implemented a total three rat...
Adviser-Hub 22nd Dec 2017
The Week: Farewell to all that
2017 is drawing to a close. Was it a classic for investors?
Adviser-Hub 21st Dec 2017
Megatrends for 2018
Fund managers are fond of emphasising their stock-picking credentials over and above their macroeconomic analysis. However, it is clear that they need to pay attention to certain disruptive global tre...
Adviser-Hub 14th Dec 2017
The Yield Curve Gap: Outlook for 2018
As the end of the year approaches, investors may wonder about the prospects for 2018. This month, we look at the yield curve gap for the US and 8 other major economies. The yield curve gap has been a...
Adviser-Hub 12th Dec 2017
UK equity income market review: Global dividend growth gathers pace
November 2017 Although the FTSE 100 Index reached a new high during November, UK equity prices generally declined over the month as a whole, while yields rose. The Bank of England implemented its f...
Global update: Stable outlook for sovereigns
The outlook for sovereign creditworthiness in 2018 is generally stable, according to credit ratings agency Moody’s, underpinned by expectations that the “healthy” and “synch...
Europe market review: Brexit discussions focus on Ireland
The mechanics and implications of Brexit continued to dominate newsflow during November and discussions over the future of the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland intensified during the mon...
Adviser-Hub 11th Dec 2017
Oil reaches its highest level for over two years
The price of oil reached its highest level since the middle of 2015 in November, following a sudden anti-corruption purge in Saudi Arabia.
Asia Japan market review: Japan shrugs off fresh hostility from North Korea
Despite a fresh display of aggression from North Korea towards Japan, the share prices of large Japanese companies generally rose during November.
UK equity market review: FTSE 100 Index reaches new high in November
UK interest rates rose for the first time since 2007 during November. Despite this, investors appear to be confident that any further increases will be very gradual, and the FTSE 100 Index reached...
Adviser-Hub 8th Dec 2017
US market review: DJIA hits a new record in November
Despite hurricane-related disruption, the US economy posted strong third-quarter growth, expanding by 3.3% YoY.
UK bond market review: UK rates rise for the first time in a decade
Brexit continued to dictate market sentiment during November, and UK gilt yields rose over the month amid cautiously rising hopes that the UK and EU will manage to reach an agreement over their Bre...
The Week: Everything is rosy in the economic outlook, so why don’t we feel happier?
In such a good environment, investors are surprisingly gloomy. Is it time for some Christmas jollity?
Adviser-Hub 7th Dec 2017
Global update: Renewed aggression from North Korea
North Korea returned to the forefront of investors’ awareness in November following its decision to fire another ballistic missile towards Japan.
Adviser-Hub 5th Dec 2017
Market briefings looking back at November
A selection of articles, written by our expert investment writers that cover the markets looking back through November.
The problem with contingent charging
Contingent charging is controversial. Should advisers consider another approach? The majority of advisers still use contingent charging, but does it fit with a new post-RDR world? Contingent c...
Adviser-Hub 30th Nov 2017
The Week: Gloom and gloomier
If the Chancellor’s Budget predictions for UK growth were not gloomy enough, the OECD made some even gloomier ones this week.
Adviser-Hub 28th Nov 2017
Global dividends show rapid growth
Global dividends are buoyant, suggesting that companies are optimistic about the economy even if investors are getting nervous. Global dividends grew at their fastest pace in three years in the...
Adviser-Hub 21st Nov 2017
What does Single’s Day tell us about emerging markets?
As well as some eye-popping numbers, Single’s Day in China helped bust some pervasive myths around emerging market investment. Single’s Day was a great success, breaking sales record...
Adviser-Hub 16th Nov 2017
How well does the Low Volatility Factor work in Downturns?
The low volatility factor is becoming more popular as investors look for a potential safe haven in troubled markets, but has the low volatility factor provided protection in previous market crashes? T...
Adviser-Hub 14th Nov 2017
Philip Hammond is in an unenviable position as he delivers his latest Budget
Philip Hammond is in an unenviable position as he delivers his second Budget as Chancellor on 22 November. He needs to pull a rabbit out of a hat, but it's proving very difficult to catch. - Th...
Adviser-Hub 9th Nov 2017
US indices reach fresh highs
Strong corporate earnings announcements from leading American technology firms helped to drive US equity indices higher during October. US Federal Reserve (Fed) policymakers maintained the key federal...
Adviser-Hub 7th Nov 2017
Slow progress in Brexit negotiations
The FTSE 100 Index hit a new all-time high in October, reaching 7,556.24 points during the month. However, the spike was caused primarily by wider enthusiasm towards global economic developments than...
Profit warnings rise in Q3
UK equity indices generally rose over October; however, this was driven more by rising optimism about global prospects than by confidence about the UK’s economic outlook. The number of profit wa...
Higher interest rates beckon for the UK
Stronger-than-expected economic growth data fuelled expectations of an imminent increase in UK interest rates, creating some short-term volatility in gilt yields. Consumer price inflation reached 3% Y...
Central banks’ policy continues to shift
A widespread shift in central banks' monetary policy is helping to reduce the attractions of bonds. During October, the ECB announced that it would extend its bond-buying programme until at least...
Spain’s political crisis continued
Although European investors welcomed further evidence of a strengthening economy during October, sentiment was dampened by mounting political turmoil in Spain and wider concerns surrounding Brexit. Th...
President Xi hails China’s economic transition
China's annual economic growth rose from Rmb54 trillion to Rmb80 trillion, contributing more than one-third of total global economic growth, according to the country's President Xi. He hailed...
Nikkei 225 Index reaches two-decade high
The Nikkei 225 Index posted steady growth during October, underpinned by a strengthening domestic economy, and reached levels last seen in 1996. Investor sentiment was boosted by the victory of incumb...
Market briefings looking back at October
A selection of articles written by our expert investment writers, covering the markets looking back through October.
Global update: Politics dominate in October
Politics grabbed the spotlight during October, and global investor sentiment was affected by mounting political crisis in Spain, General Elections in Japan and Austria, and continuing developments.
So interest rates are going up for the first time in a decade. How do you feel?
The Bank of England has announced a hike in interest rates for the first time in a decade The base rate will rise from 0.25% to 0.5% With the economy fragile, is Carney making a mistake? I...
Adviser-Hub 2nd Nov 2017
Do MiFID II and GDPR contradict one another?
Miles Reucroft of Intelliflo discusses whether these two legislative initiatives are in conflict There have been persistent questions on whether MiFID II and GDPR contradict one another The ar...
North Korea dominates news flow
Global markets generally ended September in positive territory, despite an intensifying war of words between US President Donald Trump and North Korea. The UK was an exception, however; the FTSE 100 I...
Adviser-Hub 1st Nov 2017
Are financial advisers ready for GDPR?
By Miles Reucroft, Intelliflo We recently ran a survey among 270 users of our Intelligent Office practice management system to gauge the readiness of UK financial advisers for the forthcoming Gener...
Adviser-Hub 26th Oct 2017
Black Monday thirty years on
Black Monday is still etched on the collective consciousness of the investment industry, a reminder of the caprices of markets and how quickly they can turn. This volatility remains a key deterrent fo...
Adviser-Hub 19th Oct 2017
UK equity market review (September 2017)
Brexit concerns hamper confidence The FTSE 100 Index fell over September, dampened by uncertainties surrounding Brexit and wider concerns over North Korea. During the month, Prime Minister Theresa...
Adviser-Hub 12th Oct 2017
UK bond market review (September 2017)
Gilt yields soar in September Gilt prices fell and yields surged amid mounting expectations of an increase in UK interest rates – perhaps as early as November – and a strong increase in...
UK equity income market review (September 2017)
Brexit haunts UK investors While most other major equity markets rose during September, investor sentiment in the UK was dampened by ongoing Brexit-related concerns. Demand for UK equity funds has...
Emerging markets review (September 2017)
BRICS nations meet in September China’s President Xi urged the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – to work together more closely in order to maximise...
US market review (September 2017)
US markets hit new highs Despite some disappointing economic data, fresh disruptions caused by hurricanes, and ongoing tensions with North Korea, US equity indices reached fresh highs during the mo...
Asia Japan market review (September 2017)
Snap election in Japan Investors were caught off-guard in September by the decision of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to call a snap General Election in a move designed to reinforce his mandate...
Europe market review (September 2017)
Europe’s economy continues to strengthen The eurozone’s economy grew by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2017, having posted quarterly growth of 0.5% in the first three months of the year....
Britain's toxic politics: what does it mean for UK assets?
The UK is a political mess, and it's starting to weigh on the economy, and the performance of UK assets. The UK political scene is as uncertain as it has been for some time. Brexit talks a...
Market briefings looking back at September
The below selection of articles have been written by our expert investment writers and cover the markets looking back through August. Asia Japan market review Snap election in Japan...
Global bond market review (September 2017)
Global bond yields rise in September Global bond yields generally rose during September despite a backdrop of rising tension between North Korea and the US. The Fed confirmed that it intends to sta...
Investing ethically: should you encourage your clients to care?
It is Good Money Week. That is the one week a year where the financial services community seeks to raise awareness about responsible investment and how it can benefit businesses and society. M...
MM Wired with The UK Edge
How are advice firms harnessing technology?
Various 10th Oct 2017
Which Factors Perform best in Late Cycle Environments?
With the current economic cycle now 9 years old, investors are interested in strategies that can perform in the later part of the economic cycle. This month, we apply this question to the area of smar...
Adviser-Hub 9th Oct 2017
The fees of the future
Fund management fees are changing, but do the changes go far enough? Fidelity’s new charging model incorporates a performance fee structure It is one of a raft of changes to fees from th...
Adviser-Hub 5th Oct 2017
Do people know the value of advice?
People are still making expensive mistakes with their long-term savings, but how can we get a better message out about financial advice? In the context of what is at stake, advisory fees seem re...
After Brexit and a downgrade, is Carney really likely to raise rates?
A rate rise in the UK has suddenly become a possibility. There is still much to fear on the outlook for the UK – is Carney really likely to blink? The conditions for a rate rise do not app...
Adviser-Hub 28th Sep 2017
Technology provided a boost for US equity indices
Investor sentiment was impaired during August by concern over North Korea’s relationship with the international community and worries about the impact of Tropical Storm Harvey, which hammered the US G...
UK equity market review: “No decisive progress” in Brexit talks
UK share price performance was dampened in August by escalating tensions between North Korea and the international community.
UK equities make muted gains in August
August 2017 UK share prices generally rose during August, although gains were relatively muted, hampered by geopolitical tensions relating to North Korea – which fired a missile over Japan &n...
UK bond market review: Demand for gilts rises during August
During August, investors’ appetite for risk deteriorated, undermined by further deterioration in relations between North Korea and the rest of the world.
Global bond market review: Strong demand for highly rated government bonds
Investors’ appetite for “safe haven” assets rose during August against an increasingly unsettled global backdrop.
Euro surges against the US dollar
August 2017 The euro rose to its highest level against the US dollar since January 2015, bolstered not only by the strengthening European economy, but also by worries over the impact of Tropical St...
Asia Japan market review: Tensions with North Korea put pressure on Asian markets
An increasingly strained relationship between North Korea and the international community culminated in North Korea’s decision to fire a ballistic missile over Japan.
Market briefings looking back at August
A selection of articles written by our expert investment writers that cover the markets looking back through August.
Emerging markets review: IMF warns on China’s credit boom
China’s credit growth continued to pose a problem in August.
Indicators of a Share Market Correction
Last month we looked at two factors that are predictive of a future recession: the rate of inflation and the level of unemployment, and found that the signs of a new recession were not quite in play y...
Adviser-Hub 26th Sep 2017
Broomer's Blog: This Time it's different
It is often said that the most dangerous words in investment are that 'this time it's different', but could it be? The value philosophy – that everything reverts to the mean &n...
Adviser-Hub 25th Sep 2017
Emerging markets: have investors missed the boat?
Emerging markets have had a strong run – are all the strong returns behind them? Emerging markets have rallied after fears surrounding the Trump election abated After 20%+ gains, investo...
Wary women’ don’t like investments
Women are increasingly ‘wary’ of investments, finds a new piece of research from consumer finance group Boring Money. Women are increasingly ‘wary’ of investments, finds a new...
Adviser-Hub 22nd Sep 2017
The Philips Curve: why is higher employment not leading to wage growth?
Low unemployment is not leading to higher wages. What is happening? Unemployment is at its lowest level for over 40 years, but wages are declining in real terms The 'Philips curve' app...
Adviser-Hub 14th Sep 2017
The power of reputation: How can you avoid a Bell Pottinger?
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it” Benjamin Franklin Bell Pottinger has gone into administration after a racist campaign in South...
Investors seek safe havens in August
Risk aversion amongst investors rose during August, boosting demand for perceived “safe-haven” assets amid mounting concerns over the deteriorating relationship between North Korea and the...
Adviser-Hub 7th Sep 2017
The Week: North Korea: A macroeconomic event that they actually care about
Finally, markets seem to have found a macroeconomic event that they actually care about.
Workplace wellness – what works?
No-one wants a sick and feeble workforce, how can you encourage employees to look after themselves without driving them to drink? Workplace wellbeing can encourage productivity and reduce long-t...
Adviser-Hub 31st Aug 2017
The shine comes off absolute return
Standard Life’s GARS fund is under pressure: performance has waned and it is seeing outflows. Does this say something about the wider absolute return sector? The targeted absolute return s...
Adviser-Hub 29th Aug 2017
The Week: How to explain the mismatch between economic growth and labour market statistics?
We currently have a situation where the labour market and GDP growth statistics are telling a different story.
Adviser-Hub 24th Aug 2017
The Week: Valuations - might it be different this time?
Investors have been fretting about valuations for some time, and the recent wobbles in markets seem to endorse the fragility of current equity pricing. Stock markets look increasingly overvalued...
Adviser-Hub 17th Aug 2017
Inflation continues to pose a problem
July 2017 UK consumer price inflation remained well above its 2% target, although it eased slightly in June. Although the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level since 1975, wage growth continue...
Adviser-Hub 14th Aug 2017
The Matryoshka Principle: Methodology (Part 2)
In part two of his four part series, Karl Dines explores how the Matryoshka Principle can be implemented to help create robust methodology. Comprehensive methodology is essential to ensure a rob...
US market review: The Fed is poised to pare back its balance sheet
Despite a raft of fresh problems for President Trump’s administration, US equity markets rose during July and the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index reached a new closing high at the end of t...
UK equity income market review: UK equity yields fell during July
UK equity indices generally rose during July and yields fell. Dividend payouts hit a new second-quarter record in 2017, according to Capita Asset Services, reaching a total of £33.3 billion.<...
Global bond market review: Bond and currency markets remain under pressure
Despite a backdrop of persistently low inflation, speculation over the likelihood of tighter monetary policy continued to put pressure on global bond and currency markets during July.
Europe market review: Economic sentiment improves in the eurozone
The European Central Bank continued to play down speculation that it is poised to begin winding down its programme of stimulus measures.
Emerging markets review: China posts stronger-than-expected economic growth
China’s economy grew by 6.9% YoY during Q2, outstripping the Chinese government’s official annual economic growth target.
Asia Japan market review: Japan’s inflation to remain below target
Although Japan’s economy appears to be strengthening in some areas, the outlook for inflation remains subdued.
Market briefings looking back at July
A selection of articles written by our expert investment writers that cover the markets looking back through July.
UK bond market review: Gilt yields declined in July
Gilt yields fell over July as a whole, dampened by an unexpected drop in the UK’s annualised rate of inflation.
The Week: Uncool Britannia
The UK is in the grip of a crisis with a political vacuum and weakening economic data. But is it really as bad as the headlines suggest? Manufacturing is providing a chink of light Sterling...
Adviser-Hub 10th Aug 2017
To trust or not to trust?
The question of how much to trust your employees is a thorny one for any employer. It’s not always easy to trust employees when your business is on the line One company has gone as...
Key Indicators of a New Recession
It is widely believed that a low rate of unemployment and high rate of inflation are key signs of a healthy economy. While this may be the case, these characteristics are also the ones that are most l...
Adviser-Hub 8th Aug 2017
The Future - Utopia or Dystopia?
Progress in artificial intelligence (AI) has been phenomenal. Deep learning, in particular, has allowed machines to learn through data and experience rather than on the back of pre-programed models. I...
Baillie Gifford 8th Aug 2017
Global update: Inflation remains a conundrum
Global equity markets generally rose during July, underpinned by further evidence of economic strength. Despite further political upheaval in the US, the benchmark Dow Jones Industrial Average Index r...
Adviser-Hub 3rd Aug 2017
The Week: This year’s ‘Spot the Dog’
It’s fair to say that Bestinvest’s ‘Spot the Dog’ list is not popular with fund management groups.
Adviser-Hub 1st Aug 2017
Corporate buzzwords and communication
A recent survey for Glassdoor has come up with the 12 most annoying corporate buzzwords. Corporate jargon is getting worse rather than better The finance industry is guilty of excessive...
Adviser-Hub 27th Jul 2017
Is it the end for passive outperformance?
Over the past five years, investors have only had to be ‘in it to win it’. They haven’t needed to be particularly skilled, or find the right companies, or even be any good at asset a...
Adviser-Hub 25th Jul 2017
Red faces at the Beeb: How to ensure you pay fairly
There will be some red faces at the BBC report after the publication of top stars’ salaries. The BBC may be in turmoil today, but other corporations may come out far worse If you a...
Adviser-Hub 20th Jul 2017
A welcome pause in life expectancy rises
Increases in life expectancy are stalling, after 100 years of continuous progress, according to new research from University College London. There has been much hand-wringing about why this might be &...
The Matryoshka Principle, dolls and modelling your business (Part 1)
In part one of his four part series, Karl Dines, Head of Business Consultancy and SimplyBiz, explores how the Matryoshka Principle can be translated in the advice process to create a robust business m...
Adviser-Hub 13th Jul 2017
The role of mentoring
“Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Think about what you want from a mentor and how you want the relationship to d...
Is Smart Beta Profitability on the Decline?
Smart beta ETFs have grown in popularity, in combination with the rise of passive investing. This month we examine whether the best days of smart beta are in the past, and whether the inflows into the...
Adviser-Hub 11th Jul 2017
The perils of market timing?
People have long thought that market timing was tough, but now a new study from Morningstar seems to prove it. The first UK Mind the Gap study shows that the average investor returns are lower than th...
Why are people talking about a crash?
Investors are increasingly nervous. Valuations are high, volatility is low and there are plenty of geopolitical risks on the horizon. Veteran investor Jim Rogers has started to predict a major crash,...
Adviser-Hub 6th Jul 2017
Fed tightens interest rates again
June 2017 The Fed raised its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 1% to 1.25%, representing its highest level since 2008. The Fed also intends to begin cutting back its balance...
Adviser-Hub 4th Jul 2017
Hung Parliament fuels political uncertainties
June 2017 Prime Minister Theresa May’s intention to increase her Parliamentary majority through a snap General Election ended in a hung Parliament. As a result, the UK Government found itself...
UK markets fall in June
June 2017 UK equity markets fell during June, undermined by renewed political uncertainties. The snap General Election culminated in a hung Parliament that forced the Conservative Party to seek sup...
Central bank hawks start to circle
June 2017 Gilt yields rose strongly during June amid mounting speculation that the Bank of England might tighten monetary policy. Three members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted in favour rais...
Global bond yields surged in June
June 2017 The global bond market came under pressure towards the end of June. Bond yields surged and prices fell, undermined by rising speculation that central banks might start to tighten monetary...
Reflationary forces at work in Europe
June 2017 Reflationary influences have replaced deflationary forces in the eurozone, according to European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. His remarks triggered speculation that the ECB might...
Brazil moves out of recession
une 2017 Having languished in recession for two years, Brazil’s economy finally moved out of recession during the first quarter of 2017. Nevertheless, the outlook for Brazil’s economy r...
Japan's inflation remains well below target
June 2017 Although Japan’s economy continues to improve slowly, the country’s rate of core consumer price inflation remains subdued. This is creating a headache for Japan’s offici...
Where next for monetary policy?
Investors were unsettled by speculation that leading central banks might be considering an end to their ultra-loose monetary policy. Following the US Federal Reserve’s third interest rate increa...
Tech crash 2:0
US valuations look extremely punchy, relative to history and relative to earnings. However, strength this strength is almost entirely down to one sector: technology. A handful of technolog...
Adviser-Hub 29th Jun 2017
May’s nightmare: How to learn from failure
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work” - Thomas A. Edison The common view of failure is that it is simply a setback on the path to achievement...
Profiting from Share Price Patterns
Is there any useful information in past share prices that practitioners can incorporate into factor portfolios? This month we examine behavioural reasons why investors might undervalue short-term outp...
Adviser-Hub 27th Jun 2017
Brexit: one year on
One year after the Brexit referendum, negotiations between the EU and the UK have finally started, although the UK Government’s position has been undermined by the hung Parliament. Having fallen...
Bullying or strong leadership?
It’s been a bad week for bullies, following the departures of senior executives at Uber and a report into British Cycling. Bullies have been exposed in recent weeks, but in both case...
Adviser-Hub 22nd Jun 2017
Bond or equities: Which market has the more realistic view?
Bond or equities: Which market has the more realistic view? Bond and equity markets are telling very different stories about the state of economic growth: Which is right? Equity market earnin...
Technology
Technology is changing how we live and work in ways that we could not have conceived a few years ago. The addressable universe for technological application continues to expand and the rate of change...
Adviser-Hub 20th Jun 2017
Top tips for staff retention
Your staff are good and your clients like them. Recruiting new staff is expensive. So how can you make sure you keep people? Pay is not the be-all and end-all, but people need to feel they&rsquo...
Adviser-Hub 15th Jun 2017
Returning chickens
Chickens are coming home to roost in the UK economy with inflation rising and political turmoil. What does it mean for UK assets? An uncertain election and rising inflation spells bad news for c...
What next for Brexit?
The UK’s hung Parliament has raised questions over the future of the Brexit negotiations. Prime Minister Theresa May’s mandate to pursue a “hard” Brexit has been fatally weaken...
Adviser-Hub 13th Jun 2017
Divided we stand
Britain faces a hung Parliament following a General Election in which Prime Minister Theresa May not only failed to increase the Conservative Party’s majority in the House of Commons, but also l...
Adviser-Hub 9th Jun 2017
Hiring the best
It is clear that a lot rests on the people we recruit: ‘People are our greatest assets’ has become a cliché, but within it lies a significant kernel of truth. The decisions you make...
Adviser-Hub 8th Jun 2017
Future-proofing your portfolio
Barring a few political junkies, most will be tiring of the General Election and relieved that it almost over (though that may depend on the result, of course). It’s time to look to the future,...
Update on Equity Release qualification and permission
Towards the close of 2016, the FCA released a Consultation Paper (CP16/24) looking at the possibility of investment and pension firms without mortgage permissions being able to advise on the equity re...
Adviser-Hub 23rd May 2017
What could destabilise the Japanese economic recovery?
While there are signs of stability in Japan’s economy, should we be mindful of an unusually unclear outlook? Paul Chesson, head of Japanese Equities at Invesco Perpetual. At the moment, th...
Adviser-Hub 12th May 2017
The Best Performing Smart Beta Factors
The Best Performing Smart Beta Factors As smart beta investing becomes more popular with investors, a long-term appraisal of factor performance would be useful to help to understand funds which ope...
Adviser-Hub 9th May 2017
Europe market review: Observations on the French election
Observations on the French election Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen have won the first round of voting in the French presidential election and will face each other in the final round on May 7. Th...
Adviser-Hub 2nd May 2017
The income dilemma
Yield is fast becoming the holy grail of the 21st century.
Various 16th Mar 2017
Categories
Archives
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Authors
Tags
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tue, 6th, May Bristol
Tue, 6th, May Derby
Wed, 7th, May Exeter
Wed, 7th, May Birmingham
Thu, 8th, May Poole
Tue, 13th, May Norfolk
Wed, 14th, May Colchester
Wed, 14th, May Online Event
Thu, 15th, May Suffolk
Sign up to our Hub News E-Newsletter
