Oil – flowing steady?
The narrative for the oil market for the bulk of the year has been relatively straightforward. An excess of supply through increases in production from OPEC+ members was driving prices lower. Saudi Arabia looked to be in the driving seat for the recent increases in production having grown frustrated at other OPEC members indiscipline at […]
Summary Q2 2025
‘Unsettled’ seems like an apt choice of word to describe 2025. Unsettled markets were duly unsettled by unsettling policy from a US administration determined to confront perceived wrongdoings by unsettling the global trade system through tariffs. If implemented, US policy could serve to keep inflation at a higher level and therefore make the US Federal […]
Markets Outlook Q2 2025
Unsettled That the year has started off on the wrong foot might well be an understatement. If anything, it’s stumbled out of the gates, tripped over a tariff and landed awkwardly in a patch of geopolitical uncertainty. ‘Unsettled’ seems like an apt choice of word to describe 2025 thus far. Unsettled markets have been duly […]
Q1 2025 – Gold: On the move
Humankind have been attracted to gold for millennia. Most obviously in jewellery form as a sign of wealth and status, but also as an investment as a long-term store of value, with the potential to help preserve purchasing power over time and also thrive in challenging markets in the belief that its price will stay […]
Make America Great Again, Again, and Again?
After years of the market being led by US mega-cap companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia and Tesla, and a steady procession of articles fating an era of continued US stock market exceptionalism – came a shock. Stocks go up, but can also go down. We have previously written about the phenomenon of the ‘Magnificent […]
Summary
Whilst we remain in an interest rate cutting cycle, the journey may be shorter than previously anticipated. This is particularly the case in the United States, where President-elect Trump’s policies (if implemented), could serve to keep inflation at a higher level and therefore make the US Federal Reserve more cautious in its approach. Central bank […]
Whoa, we’re halfway there
Once upon a time, not so long agoTommy used to work on the docks, union’s been on strikeHe’s down on his luck, it’s tough, so toughGina works the diner all day, working for her manShe brings home her pay, for love, mmm, for loveShe says, “We’ve gotta hold on to what we’ve gotIt doesn’t make […]
Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it?
With some trepidation I started the Investment Strategy at the beginning of last year, raising the hope that 2024 would deliver a more settled year and that, having been through a difficult last 12 months or so, the new year at least offered the chance for some new optimism. Sadly, the problems at Manchester United […]
Consolidating the Core Range of Model Portfolios: A Streamlined Future
From February 2025, HFMC Asset Management will consolidate its Core range of model portfolios, removing the distinction between those “including property” and “excluding property.” This decision is part of an ongoing effort to simplify and enhance our portfolio offerings while aligning with industry best practices. By streamlining the Core range to mirror the structure of […]
Summary
During September, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) joined the Bank of Canada, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England, in beginning to cut interest rates. In the States, they did so with a bumper cut of 0.5%. Think of this as a buy one, get one free policy decision and recognition that they […]