WH Ireland Global Market Insight – Dec. 2024
December is typically a mixed month for market performance and 2024 was no different, but the notorious ‘Santa rally’ failed to materialise…
WH Ireland Global Market Insight – Oct. 2024
The Federal Reserve commenced its interest rate cutting cycle with a pre-emptive 0.5% move after declaring its war on inflation over…
How to find successful UK software stocks
Economic uncertainty and the rise of AI mean the software sector is no longer a one-way bet. Which companies stand out? by Arthur Sants Big tech may be riding high, but there is still a lot of uncertainty in the software market. Valuations are highly sensitive to interest rate changes, which no one is able to predict […]
Labour plans to add VAT to private school fees!
The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank has estimated that Labour’s VAT raid will push up to 40,000 children out of private schools and into the state sector. The head of Sir Keir Starmer’s former school has warned that Labour’s plan to impose VAT on private schools will not provide the funding boost state schools […]
The AI data Opportunity
The artificial intelligence boom is boosting demand for data centres across the world. Howe can private investors profit from it? Val Cipriani reports Written by Val Cipriani – February 22, 2024 The email you sent to your most important client last week. The WhatsApp message inviting your daughter for dinner on your birthday. The picture of […]
Why central Banks are criminals in their Interest rate policies and Governments are complicit
Recent announcements: “ECB resists rate cut bets with pledge to stay tight. ECB holds rates at record highs. Cuts 2024 inflation, GDP forecasts No lowering of the guard, vows Lagarde” “Bank of England could be about to open the door to interest rate cuts.” – 31 JAN 2024 “Fed holds interest rates steady […]
I inherited a house 16 years ago – what happens if I sell it?
“About 16 years ago my brother and I inherited my mother’s house, and it has since doubled in value to around £500,000. The title deeds name my brother and I as proprietors. My brother is British but has lived with his wife and family in the US for about 30 years. I have not lived […]
The government bond market occupies a unique position as the risk-free benchmark
When higher for longer’ interest rates start disrupting life for the masses! Markets finally get the message…Cynics argue that marking the end of the hiking cycle is easy: Central bankers just raise rates until something in the financial system breaks. Earlier this month, things certainly looked precarious – as the chart shows, government bonds sold off […]
The UK economy is no longer the ‘sick man’ of the G7
Finally, some good economic news. Earlier this month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published an obscure release called the “Impact of Blue Book 2023 changes on gross domestic product”. The title might be uninspiring, but it contained some deceptively interesting information. Previously, in August, the ONS had released second-quarter figures suggesting that GDP was […]
How to lose the next election Mr Sunak! Why cutting inflation isn’t the same as a tax cut
At the Conservative Party Conference earlier this month, Rishi Sunak told delegates “I know you want tax cuts. I want them too and we will deliver them. But the best tax cut we can give people right now is to halve inflation and ease the cost of living”. At first listen, this seems like a nice […]