The UK economy hit the wall last quarter, while inflation started rising again. In the US, expectations of interest rate cuts have cooled since Donald Trump was elected President.

Equity and bond investors had opposite reactions to the US election. But Trump 2.0 may have less influence than investors first hoped or feared.

A lot going on this month, so the team focus on two rather large events which took place within a week of each other.

Bond yields rise in the aftermath of the UK Budget and with Americans poised to go to the polls.

Labour will deliver its first Budget in almost 15 years this week. With little wiggle room and a shopping list of problems, it will be hard for the Chancellor to please anyone.

UK inflation is below the central bank’s 2% target for the first time in three and a half years. That should clear the way for further cuts to interest rates.

The gaze turns eastward this month as the team discuss China’s recent stimulus. Will it be enough to wrestle the economy out of its post-COVID funk?

The twin engines of the European economy, Germany and France, are sputtering. With inflation falling and France turning to austerity, will the central bank come to the rescue?

America’s fading jobs market reversed course last month, with a surge of new jobs created. What does this mean for the path of interest rates?

Watch and listen to David Harrison discuss the pressing issues and future of sustainable investing, including the FCA's SDR framework, ESG engagement, and the impact of AI and COP events.

The year of the dragon hasn’t been an auspicious one for China so far. Its leaders are trying to turn that around with a wall of money to kickstart its sputtering economy.

The latest edition of In Conversation is here.

Since our last series, markets have been buzzing with activity and significant developments.

Our fund managers break down these events and discuss how they’re navigating this complex environment. They offer their perspectives on what lies ahead and how they are positioning their portfolios for the challenges and opportunities that the rest of 2024 might bring.