Kevin Kidney, Head of Investments, focuses on the increase to UK borrowing seen in the figures for March, the slow growth impulse, and the challenges that it presents for Chancellor Rachel Reeves in steering the UK economy in the right direction.

President Trump is urged to "listen to business concerns" amid a full retreat on tariffs, with trade negotiations underway with the UK and potential tariff reductions for China announced. Markets have reacted positively, but can the damage to global trade, businesses, and consumers be reversed?

Matt Henderson, Portfolio Manager, details the move away from US equity exposure due to ongoing tariff uncertainty and trade talks. Gold has now reached another all-time-high, but why are investors favouring it over bonds?

Paul Durrans, Investment Director, and Joe Forward, Investment Analyst break down the major events from this week, from the latest UK inflation figures, the market reaction to ongoing tariff developments, and the latest corporate results from semiconductor chip companies.

Sebastian Mackay, Investment Director, explores how current US policy is affecting investor sentiment and opportunities for equities and could potentially jeopardise the US dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.

George Bell, Portfolio Manager, looks at the recent UK inflation print which shows Headline CPI at 2.6%, down from 2.8% in March. This moderation coupled with the cooling labour market has set market expectations for three interest rate cuts from the Bank of England in 2025 of 0.75%

Kevin Kidney, Head of Investments, looks at the mixed messages coming from UK employment data and the strength of wage growth in both the private and public sector. This presents a headwind to the Bank of England as the jobs data doesn’t support their desire to cut interest rates.

Matt Henderson, Portfolio Manager, looks to the week ahead, which has updates on UK and European inflation data and interest rate decisions from the European Central Bank.

Kevin Kidney, Head of Investments, is joined by Paul Durrans, Investment Director, and George Bell, Portfolio Manager to discuss the volatility in markets after the ‘liberation day’ tariff announcements and the subsequent rollback on the decision with the exclusion of China. The team also discuss how they are taking action to tackle the current market volatility.

Paul Durrans, Investment Director, reflects on the surprise announcement of an almost blanket 90-day delay on US tariffs, with the exception of China. US equities have had a strong positive response to the news, with the S&P 500 up almost 10% in one day.