News & Insight

Market Commentary

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted global economic growth of 3% in 2025 and 3.1% in 2026. This is an upward revision from the IMF’s forecast in April, partly due to recent front-loading in anticipation of higher tariffs. Easier financial conditions and fiscal expansion in some major jurisdictions also contributed to the improved outlook. […]

Market Commentary

After more than three years of negotiations, Britain has sealed a trade deal with India which is set to boost the economy by £4.8bn a year. The agreement includes reduced tax on Indian exports such as cars, clothing, food and jewellery. UK exports with lower tariffs include medical devices, aerospace parts, luxury cars, gin and […]

Market Commentary

The latest Consumer Prices Index (CPI) data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown an unexpected rise of 3.6% in the 12 months to June, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to May. This annual CPI rate is the highest recorded since January 2024, with a poll of economists predicting the rate […]

Market Commentary

Key findings from the Bank of England’s (BoE’s) Financial Stability Report, released last week, have shown that the global risk outlook has become increasingly uncertain following recent geopolitical shocks which have resulted in heightened volatility in financial markets. Since the last report in November, global vulnerabilities have increased, with elevated risks to growth and inflation, […]

Market Commentary

Investors turned their attention to Sintra, Portugal last week, for the European Central Bank’s (ECB) Annual Forum. Key monetary policymakers from around the globe, including Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, ECB President Christine Lagarde, Bank of England (BoE) Governor Andrew Bailey and Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, gathered together to exchange insights and strategies […]

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 […]