May saw further unwelcome volatility in most stock markets. Reassuringly, inter-month losses were typically recovered by month-end, with a number making some modest progress. The FTSE 100 was again one of the leaders globally, as its oil and banking sectors pushed the market higher.
Read more
April proved to be another volatile month, with most of the major stock and fixed interest markets weakening over the period on concerns about economic growth and inflationary pressures. The FTSE 100 remained a notable outperformer making modest gains, helped by its oil exposure, and by the weakness in the pound, which fell some 4.5% over the month against the US Dollar.
Read more
Inflation and developments in Ukraine continued to dominate the headlines in March. Expectations prior to the invasion had been that inflationary pressures would be about to peak, but this has been pushed out given the impact on a number of key commodity prices, not least energy. In addition, inflationary pressures are affecting economic data, causing a notable deterioration in the economic outlook, as businesses and consumers alike grapple with higher energy prices.
Read more
February saw the unwelcome Russian invasion of Ukraine, bringing war back to Europe for the first time in 30 years. Besides the ongoing unnecessary loss of life, the conflict has tragically displaced millions, causing one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe in a generation.
Read more
The start of 2022 proved an eventful one, with markets adjusting to the evolving interest rate outlook. The backdrop favoured “value” as investors shied away and sold highly rated “growth” shares. This, as well as the buoyant oil price, meant that the FTSE 100 was a notable outperformer and one of the few stock markets globally to rise over the month, hitting a fresh pandemic high.
Read more
As the curtain fell on 2021 most stock markets posted strong gains, with European and UK indices leading the pack. In spite of some volatility in early December from uncertainty around omicron and speculation as to how governments would respond, a welcome Christmas rally ensued.
Read more
