What a week. It’s been tough to watch the re-pricing action on the global markets recently. In one sweeping move, the new US administration—more wrecking ball than diplomat—upended the fragile ecosystem that is global trade. It ripped through agreements, alienated partners, and shook investor confidence to the core. The result? Heightened awareness, volatility and uncertainty […]
Introduction: The Challenge of Managing Risk in Today’s Markets For much of 2024, US equities outperformed their European counterparts by a wide margin. The S&P 500 gained nearly 24%, while the MSCI Europe index returned just 8.6%. But as 2025 began, that narrative started to shift—European markets surged, outpacing the US in the first two […]
Macroeconomic Backdrop U.S. Economic Resilience and AI-Driven Growth The U.S. economy remained the standout performer in 2024, with GDP expanding at an annualized rate of 2.6%. This growth was driven by a strong labour market with unemployment which averaged 3.8%, robust consumer spending, and continued capital investment in AI and automation. Core PCE inflation, the […]
The Finance Bill 2024 was published yesterday & it contained provision which materially impacts your retirement funding from 01/01/2025. Since Finance Act 2023, business owners were provided the opportunity to make significant contributions to their Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSA) which for many, afforded them the opportunity to back fund for contributions which perhaps couldn’t […]
Global Markets have taken an abrupt turn in recent days accelerating a change in the redistribution of capital from risk assets coupled with significant moves into short term bonds & re-inverting the yield curve. Changes in market sentiment throughout the year are common and drive volatility which is represented in the Volatility index (VIX = […]
We’ve seen a change in sentiment on the markets over the past few weeks, driven largely by the change in tone regarding interest rates reduction and the increasing tensions in the middle East. Markets performed strongly in March, where the energy sector provided the best returns (9.28%) driven largely by higher crude oil prices and […]
Financial planning is at the cornerstone of personal empowerment, and for women, it holds particular significance. In a world where gender disparities persist in various areas of life, from earnings to career progression, financial planning is a crucial tool for women to navigate these challenges and secure their future independence. At Lifetime Financial Planning, we […]
A Frothy Cappucino… As we close the door on February, things are certainly feeling a little frothy in a number of markets just now. US equity markets continue to drive higher, led by the phenomenal returns from the technology sector in the all-encompassing Artificial Intelligence space, the US 500 has hit multiple new highs […]
A new year, a new perspective… We start the new year with gusto, but with a stark reality check, casting our sights on World affairs and outlining the global risks clearly evident. The war in the Ukraine trundles into its third year and with no sign of closure, remains a threat to the status quo […]
We would like to wish all our client’s a very happy Christmas & Happy new Year and I would like to thank you once again for continuing to place your trust in our services. MERRY CHRISTMAS & Enjoy the final note of the year!! With Dasher, Prancer, Comet, Rudolf, and the rest, including of course […]
The House View Summary As the leaves turn a different shade of green & we start to light the fires indoors, heading into the final quarter of the year, we are starting to see a change in sentiment in Markets. In September, EU inflation (HICP) across the bloc, reduced by 0.9% to 4.3% (from 5.2% […]
The House View Summary: Dusting off the málaí scoile, September is back to school time and the adjustment back to routine and familiarity, the family taxi service and preparing for another academic year. Hopefully everyone has managed has had some time to rejuvenate the spirits for the final push to the end of the year. […]