Investment market update: January 2025

Concerns around potential trade wars following President Trump’s inauguration weighed on investment markets in January 2025, but there was positive news too. Read on to discover some of the factors that may have affected the performance of your investments. Keep in mind that short-term market movements are part of investing and taking a long-term view is an important investment strategy …

Investment market update: December 2024

Political instability in Europe and further afield affected investment markets in December. Read on to find out what other factors may have influenced your investment returns at the end of 2024. Remember to focus on your long-term goals when assessing the performance of your investments. The value of your assets rising and falling is part of investing. What’s important is …

Investment market update: November 2024

On 5 November 2024, US citizens voted for their next president, and the election had a knock-on effect on investment markets and business prospects around the world. Republican Party nominee Donald Trump will serve a second term as president of the US. Trump has previously spoken about imposing harsh import tariffs, including a tariff of up to 60% on goods …

Investment market update: October 2024

While inflation is stabilising in many major economies, markets continue to experience some volatility, which may have affected your investment portfolio.  According to the latest International Monetary Fund’s Global Financial Stability Report, markets could be underestimating the risks of conflicts and upcoming elections. Indeed, the rising price of gold suggests some investors are seeking a safe haven amid news of …

A worker in an automotive factory.

Investment market update: September 2024

Economic data suggesting some developed countries, including the US, could fall into a recession continued to affect investment markets in September 2024. Read on to discover other factors that may have affected the performance of your investments. UK Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows inflation remained stable at 2.2% in the 12 months to August. The figure …

A person looking at a stock market graph on a tablet.

Investment market update: August 2024

August was a rollercoaster month for investors, with the global stock market experiencing significant volatility. Read on to find out what may have affected your investments. Many market indices saw sharp falls early in August sparked by fears that the US is on track for a recession. However, investors are likely to have experienced some recovery in the weeks that …

A person putting a ballot paper into a box.

Investment market update: July 2024

In July, the markets were affected by general elections taking place in the UK and France, and the ongoing presidential campaign in the US. Read on to find out what else affected investment markets in July 2024. Uncertainty and numerous other factors may affect the value of your investment portfolio. However, for most investors, long-term trends are a better indicator …

Investment market update: June 2024

2024 is a historic election year – elections will take place in 50 countries. More than 2 billion voters will head to the polls in countries including the UK, US, France, and South Africa throughout the year. Political uncertainty can affect investment markets and there was evidence of this in June. During market volatility, remember that markets have, historically, recovered …

A man voting using a ballot box.

Investment market update: May 2024

On the back of data showing some countries have exited recessions at the end of the first quarter of 2024 and inflation falling, several market indexes reached record highs in May. Read on to find out what else may have affected the markets and your investment portfolio. UK Dominating headlines towards the end of May was prime minister Rishi Sunak …

A man looking at stock market performance on his phone.

Investment market update: April 2024

Interest rates and inflation continued to affect markets around the world in April 2024. Read on to find out what else may have affected investment markets and your portfolio in April. Expectations of interest rate cuts were good news for gold. Investors who feared falling interest rates would lead to lower returns on cash and government bonds purchased more gold. …