Like the UK, Latin America has suffered greatly during the pandemic – perhaps even more so. The World Bank estimates that regional GDP may slip by as much as 8%, with more than four million…
Troy Income & Growth Investment Trust
Summary Troy Income & Growth (TIGT) is relatively concentrated portfolio of around 40 stocks, with a focus on blue chip UK listed companies which have strong franchises and sustainable dividend growth. The trust’s objective is…
Ruffer Investment Company
Summary Ruffer Investment Company is an unusual investment trust focused squarely on absolute returns. It invests primarily in ‘long only’ assets – equities and bonds – but also uses currencies and derivatives as part of…
The Continuing Story of Central Bank Failure
We have been meaning to write an in depth report on central bank policies for some time and the market responses to recent BoJ policy decisions as well as the Fed meeting and press conference…
Week in review: Microsoft’s missing link?
The UK stock market came under further Brexit-related pressure this week, sending the FTSE 100 2.7% lower to close below the psychologically important 6,000 barrier on Thursday evening. However, there was an injection of some…
Income in Retirement – A Shift in Thinking
With the new pension freedoms legislation now firmly part of the retirement planning landscape in the UK, the true implications of these changes are now starting to be truly understood. What is clear in our…
How leaving the EU could impact UK house prices and shares
As outside chances continue to become inside chances in global politics, the possibility that the UK could leave the European Union (EU) is increasing, with the latest polls from both YouGov and ICM suggesting that…
Another European Summer of Discontent
Five of the last six Summers have seen European troubles bubbling to the surface. It appears that this year, Europe is again struggling to contain some wildfires that have just taken hold. Indeed, after four…
Euro 2016: the bond investor’s guide to the odds
Fans across Europe are preparing for the continent’s biggest football tournament – Euro 2016. 24 national teams will battle it out over 30 days across 10 venues in France. Here, we take a look at…
Market review: safe as houses?
The UK stock market began the week well, with share prices moving up in tandem with the oil price, which rose above $51 on Wednesday. But things turned sour thereafter, leaving the FTSE 100 index…
Why gold can be the winner if US interest rates stay low
Policy makers in the US continue to look for an excuse to keep interest rates low, and that should send the gold price higher from here, according to Nitesh Shah, analyst at ETF Securities. US…
Data Dependent US Central Bank Just Found Life More Difficult
Two weeks ago in our note titled “Markets have to adjust as Fed alters course”, we said the following; “…The Fed is continuously worried about upsetting financial markets if they remove the punch bowl. They…
US rate rise? You can bet on it
There’s an old Wall Street saying, “Don’t bet against the Fed”. But in recent times, markets have been doing exactly that and winning. Only last December, the Federal Reserve set out a clear path for…
Week in review: the gloves are off
Vienna played host to both oil ministers and European Central Bank’s (ECB) delegates for meetings in the Austrian capital this week. In the UK, the upcoming European Union (EU) referendum continues to dominate headlines while…
When is Mexico’s Moment?
Mexico’s economy surprised analysts in the first quarter by beating expectations and growing at an annualised rate of 3.2%. It was a rare bright spot as investors begin to wonder if ‘Mexico’s moment’ is slipping…
Picking the Low Hanging Fruit
Anyone who has got to know our views over the last 12 months or so has probably heard us talking about trying to pick low hanging fruit. By this, we obviously mean that we wish…
Week in review: this is not just any profits warning…
Hundreds of millions of pounds were wiped off Marks & Spencer’s market value on Wednesday after the high street icon warned that a plan to revamp its clothing range would tear a hole in its…
ISA Guide 2016
The 2015/16 tax year has ended. Like most people, you probably left it late, but you did some research – perhaps consulted Money Observer’s seminal Rated Funds publication Your Fund Choices – made your investment…
Viva la revolucion
Gold, oil and house prices have, at different times, all been viewed as a one way bet by British investors, but the goldbugs hoping for a rebound have been disappointed for many years and those forecasting…