Omicron, although it arrived late in the month, proved to be the dominant news development for November. The emergence of the latest Covid variant caused some of the most significant volatility seen in 2021. Travel and leisure shares were particularly badly hit on the news, as was the oil price, which saw the largest monthly fall since March 2020. Up until this point, stock markets had typically performed well and government bonds poorly.
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The next 30 years is expected to see the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in UK history, with around £5.5 trillion passing between generations. Not only does this present a challenge for those receiving an inheritance, but those giving money will have some important decisions to make too.
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Stock markets staged a recovery in October with a number actually climbing to fresh all-time highs into the month end. A combination of a better than expected US corporate earnings season, coupled with the strength of a handful of the US ‘mega caps’, drove the positive momentum in markets.
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The government recently announced a rise in National Insurance rates, dubbed a “Health and Social Care Levy”. Despite a Conservative manifesto promise not to increase taxes, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has also led to increases to Dividend Tax and the suspension of the State Pension triple lock. The National Insurance increase will come into force from April 2022. Keep reading for a guide to the levy and its potential impact.
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