November was a remarkable month for asset class returns within diversified portfolios. The US, Europe, UK, Japan, and most emerging markets participated in this asset price rally.  However, China did not, and Investment Director Kevin Kidney joins us to explain why.

Chief Investment Officer Jeff Casson kicks off this week’s Morning Markets with a look back at the key trends that dictated last week’s performance, focusing on the recent rise in equity and bond markets. He also looks ahead to upcoming economic announcements from the US, Europe and China that will likely shape this week’s movements.

November was a very encouraging month for equity and bond markets. Portfolio Manager George Bell takes us through the key components driving returns. 

Yesterday’s inflation figures from Germany have reinforced the latest trends we have been seeing across Europe, that inflation across the continent is coming down. 12 months ago inflation in the country was at 11.6% as Paul Durrans, Investment Director, looks at how higher interest rates have played a key role in reducing this figure.

A number of senior officials from the Bank of England and European Central Bank attempt to push back against expectations for interest rate cuts as early as Spring next year. However, the more interesting interventions have come from US policymakers with Governor Bowman and Governor Waller pushing for interest rate rises.

Andrew Bailey was in Newcastle upon Tyne yesterday discussing the economic and monetary policy backdrop for the UK. Our Chief Investment Officer Jeff Casson joins us this morning to digest Bailey's visit, plus the impact Thanksgiving and Black Friday has had on the U.S. markets, and what that could mean for your investments this week.

In today’s Morning Markets, Matt Henderson looks at the latest set of PMI data from the US and what this means for the country’s servicing and manufacturing industries. He breaks down the contrasting results for each while analysing how the three main components of these industries - new orders, pricing and employment - have influenced these numbers.

Yesterday we had PMI (Purchasing Managers Indices) readings across Europe and the UK which offer insight into the strength of the manufacturing and services industries. This data helps to establish whether an economy is expanding or contracting. How did the UK data look in comparison to Europe?

The UK was expected to fall into a recession this year, but yesterday’s Autumn Statement from UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has helped highlight that this hasn’t been the case. Kevin Kidney, Investment Director, reflects on some of the key announcements that reinforce this while looking at what these mean for workers, businesses and your investments.

Paul Durrans, Investment Director, discusses yesterday’s minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting. This offers insight into the central bank's latest assessment of the US economy, with investors looking for clues on where the US central bank members see the path of interest rates heading.