News & Insight

Market Commentary

Average asking prices dipped by 0.3% in June, according to Rightmove’s June 2025 House Price Index. The dip suggests an unusual seasonal decline as sellers respond to heightened competition and affordability pressures. The £1,277 drop brings the average new seller asking price to £378,240, reversing the record highs seen in April and May. Rightmove noted […]

Market Commentary

Last week, the Bank of England (BoE) retained Bank Rate at 4.25%. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was split, with three members voting for a 0.25 percentage point cut to 4% and six members supporting no change. Despite the decision, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey insisted rates are on a “gradual downward path” before adding, […]

Market Commentary

“We are renewing Britain”   Last week, Rachel Reeves presented her Spending Review to set out day-to-day spending for the next three years and capital spending plans for the next four years. Stating her focus was on the nation’s health, security and economic growth, the Chancellor took to the dispatch box saying, “We are renewing […]

Market Commentary

‘The global outlook is becoming increasingly challenging’   Global GDP growth is projected to slow to 2.9% this year and next year, according to the latest Economic Outlook released last week by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), down from 3.3% in 2024. The report highlights that barriers to growth, including tighter financial […]

Market Commentary

‘An economic recovery is underway’ The UK economy is expected to grow faster than previously thought next year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but the government faces growing pressure to balance its books. In its latest review, IMF forecasts UK growth of 1.2% in 2025, up from April’s 1.1% projection, and 1.4% in […]

Market Commentary

“April’s rise in inflation was widely expected”   The latest inflation data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to April 2025, a sharp increase from the 2.6% reading in the 12 months to March. This uptick was higher than expectations, with a […]

Market Commentary

“The economy is beginning to turn a corner”   The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the UK economy grew faster than expected in Q1, recording a 0.7% uptick in GDP. A Reuters poll of economists had predicted growth of 0.6% in the quarter, aligned with Bank of England estimates. This […]

Market Commentary

“This historic deal delivers for British business and British workers”   The UK secured what both leaders called a “historic” trade deal with the US, becoming the first country to reach an agreement with Washington since Donald Trump imposed sweeping new tariffs in April. Under the agreement, duties on UK car exports to the US […]

Market Commentary

“Activity is likely to pick up steadily as summer progresses”   UK house prices fell by 0.6% in April, according to new data from Nationwide, marking the first monthly decline since August 2024. This dip follows a surge in transactions during March, as buyers rushed to complete purchases ahead of Stamp Duty changes introduced on […]

Market Commentary

“Uncertainty is bad for business” As policymakers gathered in Washington for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva urged countries to act “swiftly” to resolve trade tensions jeopardising global growth. “Uncertainty is bad for business,” Georgieva warned, with tariffs causing companies to delay investment and consumers to […]

Market Commentary

“A global trade war would create renewed inflation, increasing pressure on British families”   Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) last week showed UK inflation eased in March. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 2.6% in the year to March, down from a 2.8% rise in the 12 months to February. […]

Market Commentary

“We want to secure the best deal possible for British jobs and British industry”   After a tumultuous time for global markets following his Liberation Day announcement last Wednesday, President Trump took to social media to reveal a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs, plus a lowering of reciprocal tariffs. Despite a lack of […]