US employment has exceeded expectations for growth with the highest rates of job creation since summer 2023. Jeff Casson, Chief Investment Officer, discusses the acceleration of wage growth in the US for those changing jobs, the ISM services data and the factors that play into the central banks difficulty in determining the trajectory for interest rates.

With downbeat forecasts on growth for China, Europe and UK at the start of the year, the positive revisions we have seen have led to a theme of global synchronised optimism and strong outcomes for portfolios in Q1. Kevin Kidney, Head of Asset Allocation discusses the consequences of such revisions and the divergence of inflation outcomes.

After the release of inflation data points from Europe and the US last Friday, Matt Henderson discusses the persistent disinflation trend seen in Europe and the released PCE data coming from the United States. New data on US manufacturing also shows signs of improvement, ending with Friday's key US employment report.

On today’s Morning Markets, Chris Leyland, Director of Investment Strategy, focuses on the biggest drop to Yen against the Dollar in over 30 years and the reaction of policy makers in Japan. With import prices being driven up and cost of living increasing, there is an expectation of intervention. Also we look ahead to the release of US inflation data this Good Friday.

On today’s episode we look into the first positive readings for UK retail sales in 11 months and what that could mean for economic growth. Portfolio Manager George Bell also talks about the developments in the energy sector, the increase in oil prices and Russia’s orders to cut oil output in order to meet OPEC+ targets.

For today's episode, Matt Henderson, Portfolio Manager, looks at the week ahead, assessing data points from the UK, US, Europe and Asia and what they tell us. Throughout the week, Central bank speakers will focus on current economic backdrop and monetary policy, which will be significant for financial markets.

The Bank of Japan, the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve all provided an update on their respective interest rate policy this week. Matt Henderson and Paul Durrans discuss what actions were taken by each central bank, as well as discuss the key messages and how the markets reacted.

The Federal Reserve have forecast three interest rate reductions in 2024 with indications of fewer rate cuts in 2025. Jeff Casson, Chief Investment Officer talks about the US GDP forecast, ongoing resiliency in US economic activity and expectations of higher growth for the next 3 years. How have equity and bond markets reacted to this?

As the Bank of England prepares for its Monetary Policy Committee this Thursday, inflation continues to fall and wage growth data may further encourage this towards their 2% target. George Bell, Portfolio Manager, discusses the market anticipation of an August interest rate cut. Today also marks an update from the US Federal Reserve on their economic projections as well as the dot plots graph which demonstrates each members interest rate projections into the future.

The Bank of Japan was the only central bank in the world applying a negative interest rate within its economy but new monetary policy decisions have shifted this. Matt Henderson, Portfolio Manager, discusses some the changes to the Bank of Japan’s