Knowledge and Insight - Economy

The wait for US interest rate cuts is over. Everyone expects the US Federal Reserve to move this week, the question is how far will it go? 

Stocks are down on underwhelming US economic numbers, but the central bank is likely to ride to the rescue.

Markets started wild as recession fears rose, yet became more orderly as last week progressed. Will the calm remain?

Stock markets around the world are being rocked as investors take fright about whether America is headed for recession in the coming months. Yet why is Japan at the epicentre?

Watch our latest investment video for help answering these investing questions and more:

Why are smaller stocks outperforming larger ones?
What’s the outlook for US technology stocks?
Will the Federal Reserve cut interest rates soon?

After months of waiting, there’s a strong chance that interest rates may fall in the UK this week. Across the Atlantic, the longed-for cuts won’t be till the autumn, if markets are correct.

The spending restraint pencilled in by the new Chancellor almost certainly won’t happen, and she may find ways within the rules to borrow more. But investors understand the “fiscal fiction” in the current plans and are likely to tolerate some deviation from them.

After weeks of pressure, President Joe Biden has abandoned his bid for re-election. Will there be a battle for the Democratic nomination at next month’s party convention in Chicago, or will his successor be coronated quickly?

Political violence in the US is overshadowing last week’s big moves in the biggest US stocks, and widespread gains for smaller stocks too.

Sometimes polls are right and sometimes polls are wrong. Last week, we saw classic examples of both.

Rathbones' co-chief investment officer, Edward Smith and head of asset allocation, Oliver Jones discuss the key themes shaping the investment outlook and some of the principles of long-term investing through the lens of UK equities.

The right-wing Rassemblement National was the big winner in the first round of French elections, but the most conclusive vote comes this weekend. Before then, the UK votes on its own Parliament.