Knowledge and Insight

A year of rapid-fire interest rate hikes by central banks is yet to be fully felt by the wider economy. Rathbones’ co-chief investment officer Ed Smith explains why that makes us cautious.

Rathbones announces combination of Rathbones Group and Investec Wealth & Investment UK to create the UK’s leading discretionary wealth manager. Read the market announcement here.

Stocks and bonds ended the month – and first quarter – nearing the top ends of the trading ranges in place since late last year. But there’s still much uncertainty about the inflation and growth outlook, particularly if energy prices start rising again.

The AGM is currently scheduled to be held at our London head office at 8 Finsbury Circus, London EC2M 7AZ, on Thursday 4 May 2023 at 10:00am. 

But reality has yet to set in for equity valuations, especially in the US.

Strong gains for Europe’s banks last week were reversed by Friday’s close. With the fear bug spreading, can we be confident it won’t strike again?

Discover the key themes shaping the investment landscape in our quarterly updates.

Banks are very powerful, but very fragile. That’s because they are dependent on people and their ability to believe.

Ructions in the banking sector don’t appear to be the first tremors of a systemic financial crisis, but rather a delayed, jolting reaction to the steepest rate increases in 40 years

The Budget contained some useful measures to address key challenges facing the UK economy, but doesn’t fundamentally change the tough outlook.

Better economic forecasts open the door to big tax breaks on pensions and business investment, maintaining the energy price cap, and benefit reforms to encourage more into the workforce.

When banks fail they do so suddenly and the shock can create panic that spreads trouble to other lenders. That’s why US regulators have stepped in swiftly and unambiguously.