Sebastian Mackay, Investment Director, looks at the newly released February inflation figures for the UK, which have come in at 2.8%, and below expectations. While this may take some pressure off Chancellor Reeves, the Bank of England believe that we’re not out of the woods yet, and keen interest will be on comments made in today’s Spring Statement.

George Bell, Portfolio Manager, discusses yesterday's strength in the US stock markets, driven by technology companies and positive investor sentiment surrounding the potential for a softer and more targeted tariff policy from President Trump. In the UK, manufacturing experienced its sixth consecutive month of contraction, whilst the services sector remains in robust health.

Kevin Kidney, Head of Investments, looks into the current forecast for the UK Spring Statement which takes place later this week, and the challenges and restrictions the Labour Government face with fiscal policy moving forward.

George Bell, Portfolio Manager, and Faye Graham, Investment Analyst, look back at a week when several major central banks held meetings on interest rate decisions, provided insights into economic projections, and revised inflation expectations. The team also looks into the shift in market attention from interest rates to tariffs, fiscal policy, and Chinese technology

Sebastian Mackay, Investment Director, breaks down the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold interest rates at 4.5%, what motivated the decision, and the fundamental shift in financial markets which is seeing other factors have a greater influence and pushing interest rates to the side. 

Chris Leyland, Director of Investment Strategy, looks into the Bank of Japan’s decision to hold interest rates at 0.5%, the focus of the central banks discussion surrounding President Trump’s tariffs, and analyst expectations of interest rate hikes later this year.

Paul Durrans, Investment Director, details a shift in economic growth forecasts, with the US being revised lower following consecutive weaker data prints and tariff uncertainty. In contrast to this, analysts have been quick to revise higher growth forecasts for Germany, given the prospect of significant fiscal spending on defence and infrastructure, and China, who are displaying more stability to their economic trajectory.

George Bell, Portfolio Manager, looks at the US inflation report which came in cooler than expected last week and saw US Treasuries make positive returns. In contrast, the ongoing and wide reaching tariff policy from President Trump is having negative effects across several major economies and weighing heavy on market sentiment.

Kevin Kidney, Head of Investments and Sam Elliot, Investment Analyst, look at a global market still dominated by tariffs, or the threats of tariffs, with falls in most major equity indexes. In the UK the GDP print paints a picture of contraction and with the Spring Budget less than two weeks away, the pressure is on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to improve economic growth.

George Bell, Portfolio Manager, breaks down why US inflation has come in below market expectations and how falling energy prices are a part of it. However, with ongoing tariffs from the Trump administration, the path of inflation remains blurred by trade uncertainty.