Market Commentary

This week, investors have been busy digesting a deluge of company data as earnings season is in full swing. Broadly, results have continued to beat analyst expectations with consumers (particularly in the US) seemingly able and willing to stomach the general increase in prices. Having seen a gain of roughly 20% year-to-date prior to the…

On Wednesday, the Office for National Statistics released the latest inflation data for the UK. Having been 10.4% on an annualised basis in February, there was hope and expectation that data for March would see a marked fall below 10%. Perhaps unsurprising for anyone who keeps a close eye on their food shopping prices, the…

Welcome to the latest edition of Caves Quarterly, where we take a look back over the last few months and look ahead to the future. To read, please click the link below: MHA Caves Wealth Quarterly Newsletter- Q1 2023

With the US inflation figure falling for consecutive months, the data out on Wednesday confirmed inflation eased to 5.0% YoY in March, its lowest level in almost two years, and lower than the expected 5.2%. With prices still rising, albeit at a slower rate, the US Federal Reserve is still expected to raise interest rates…

It was a short, but broadly positive week for equity markets ahead of the Easter break. Moves in oil prices made the headlines following a surprise cut in production announced by OPEC (Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) members on Sunday. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed to reduce supply by 500k barrels a day,…

In a hugely significant announcement, the Chancellor announced the abolition of the lifetime allowance (LTA) from April 2023. For those with larger pension funds, the changes set out bring significant headroom back into the retirement plans of people who might have taken a step back from pensions for fear of breaching these allowances. As ever,…

It was a volatile week for investment markets, as investors digested the fallout from the shotgun marriage of Credit Suisse and UBS Group, as well as further changes to monetary policy in the US and UK. In line with expectations, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) and the Bank of England (BoE) both raised interest rates…

Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) collapse last Friday sent tremors across the tech industry over the possible impact it could have on businesses and this week financial markets have been very volatile over the possible contagion within the wider financial sector. This comes despite US regulators announcing that SVB depositors would be fully repaid as part…

Equity markets were lower this week, as Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that in the face of strong economic data and stickier inflation, the committee were considering if higher interest rates than previously forecast might be required. “The latest economic data have come in stronger than expected, which suggests that the ultimate level…

Andrea Wood, Investment Manager On International Women’s Day, we speak to Andrea Wood from our Investment Management team, to ask about her professional experiences in the world of investment and financial planning, what women can do to improve their financial awareness, and her top financial planning tips specifically for women!     Women in financial planning…