Insights

Weakening business confidence indices continue to cast doubts on the global economy’s resilience. Although core inflation remains above central banks’ targets, the cooling of labour markets has not gone unnoticed, prompting a major shift in policy rates projections.

Large companies have typically offered far more attractive returns than their smaller counterparts, but that has changed recently. What’s behind the reversal? In this strategy blog we examine the reasons behind the switch and whether this trend is likely to continue.

The July edition assesses the condition of Growth Equity at the year’s halfway stage. H1 was again tough for fundraising for VC firms. Q2 though was much stronger than Q1 and into July with the mood amongst VC funds, and their fundraising, bolstered by the surge in appetite for AI related investments.

We all like to achieve good value for money, but it's particularly important when choosing a wealth manager. You are entrusting someone with you and your family’s financial future, and in this article we outline how to assess the value of a wealth manager.

A power of attorney allows someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf and can be useful if your mental capabilities decrease, because of illness, accident or old age. In this article we explain how to set up a power of attorney and some key facts to be aware of.

The starting pistol has been fired in the general election race, with the vote scheduled to take place on 4 July. In this strategy blog we preview the upcoming campaign and take an early look at the impact the election could have on investors and markets.

In this edition of Market Perspective we consider whether investors should be worried about rising levels of US government debt. We also examine the outlook for global inflation and how this could impact central banks’ upcoming interest rate decisions.

Recent monthly indicators suggest that the slowdown in global growth around the turn of the year has bottomed out. However, inflation outlook remains murky and the latest data have shaken investors’ confidence that significant monetary policy easing is in the offing.

Investing is not just about choosing companies that we expect to achieve success in the short term. It’s important to find businesses which can adapt to a changing world and are part of shaping the future. In this article we explore the risks and opportunities they face.

Trusts can be an effective way to provide for your family while retaining control, but you must balance the advantages against the administrative and financial costs. In this article we examine the pros and cons of setting up a trust, and potential pitfalls to avoid.

In our first Sustainability Spheres event, industry experts discussed the future of ‘fast fashion’, a model which dominates the sector but has been criticised for being unsustainable. Attendees were asked how the industry can embed sustainable practices into their models.

More than 50 countries will hold an election in 2024, with more than 40% of the world’s population eligible to vote. We examine how elections can come to dominate our conversations and thinking, and how it pays to take a step back and consider the long-term view.

Democracy is said to be in crisis, but is that actually the case? And would it affect portfolios if it is? We outline why we think the global business cycle will likely remain the day-to-day driver of portfolios, regardless of what happens at the ballot box.

Global growth resilience expected in 2024 masks the continuation of sharp regional divergences. Although headline inflation in most G20 countries is projected to continue its normalisation, it is unlikely to be back to target before the end of 2025, and upside risks remain elevated. In fact, central banks may be forced to remain prudent to ensure that underlying inflationary pressures are durably contained.