Global update
Share prices rallied during the first quarter of 2012 amid hopes of a global economic recovery underpinned by renewed optimism the eurozone would avoid a collapse. Investors around the world were nervous early in the month as Greece approached the deadline to secure sufficient backing for its controversial debt swap. Following the news of a[.....]
UK Economic Update
The UK economy shrank during the final three months of 2011 by more than was previously estimated. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), economic growth during the period was revised down to show a contraction of 0.3%, compared with previous estimates of a fall of 0.2%. The downward revision was attributable to weakness[.....]
Considering your Cash ISA
Cash ISAs are some of the most straightforward investment products on the market. They are designed to appeal to investors who want to take less risk, but also want their cash savings to work as hard as possible in a tax efficient way. For the 2012/13 tax year, the upper limit for a cash ISA[.....]
Greece’s latest bailout comes with strings attached
Share prices appreciated across much of Europe during February as equity investors appeared a little more optimistic about the future. In Germany, the DAX index rose 6.1% over the month, having increased 16.2% since the start of 2012. In France, the CAC 40 index posted a monthly increase of 4.7%, having risen 9.3% since the[.....]
UK Market Update
Share prices continued to pick up during February, with indications that investor sentiment was showing tentative signs of improvement. In the UK, the FTSE 100 index rose by 3.3% during the month, having increased by 5.4% since 2012 began. Medium-sized and smaller companies outstripped their larger counterparts and, during February, the FTSE 250 index rose[.....]
Interest Rate Update
Although inflationary pressures in the UK have shown signs of moderating, the rate of inflation continues to run well ahead of the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) rolling target of 2%. Consumer price inflation fell to 3.6% in January compared with 4.2% in December; although the decline was partly attributable to the fact that the rise[.....]
Global Update
Investor sentiment showed signs of picking up during February, with many Asian markets performing particularly strongly during the month as investors drew confidence from better-than-expected factory production in Japan, encouraging jobs data from the US and signs of improving confidence in the eurozone. The Nikkei 225 index surged 10.5% during February and has increased by[.....]
UK Market Update
Share prices rose in the UK during January as a whole, although investors continued to experience a certain level of volatility. Speculation over the outlook for the eurozone continued to dominate and stocks received a boost from hopes the eurozone might gain control over its sovereign debt crisis. The benchmark FTSE 100 index rose 2%[.....]
UK Economic Issues
Notwithstanding the London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012 is widely expected to be a tough year for the UK economy. The Ernst & Young Item Club (E&YIC) warned that the UK might already be back in recession. Although the prospect of a “serious double-dip” is not considered likely, E&YIC believes the UK economy[.....]
Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement from chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne provided little cheer for either businesses or individuals, going so far as to sound a warning that the UK’s “debt challenge is even greater than we thought”. The UK government will have to borrow more money and accelerate its programme of spending cuts. Overall government[.....]
