We need a British Development Bank to level-up the regions November 24, 2020 Tomorrow, chancellor Rishi Sunak will address the nation and announce the government’s National Infrastructure Strategy. While the focus has primarily been on what infrastructure investments and tax reforms might be on the horizon, there is an opportunity here to think bigger. What Britain needs is a new financing institution, like a British Development Bank, to [...]
Generation Z: Tech Smart Traders November 20, 2020 | City Talk Younger traders have been prominent in the markets for a while now. However, with world-wide lockdown keeping more people at home alone with their devices than ever, record volatility and market opportunities being advertised in every corner of the web, the number of traders under 30 has soared as many have been flocking to retail [...]
What are the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals? A quick guide November 18, 2020 | City Talk The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. The UN describes them as a “call for action” to “promote prosperity while protecting the planet”. Read on for what the 17 goals are and what Schroders’ Global Head of Sustainable Investment has to say about [...]
Buying the hype – Are baskets a solution to bubbles? November 17, 2020 | City Talk The events and turbulence of this year need no explanation. The global pandemic, US election and everything in between have sent dramatic waves across the markets. With so much volatility and uncertainty rocking the markets, stocks have continued to break records and climb to new highs and equal lows throughout the year. In response, increasing [...]
Exclusive: UK investors turn to property as they brace for a recession November 17, 2020 UK investors worried about the government’s handling of the pandemic and Brexit are turning to property as they brace for a recession. A survey of over 1,000 investors by FJP Investment reveals nearly two thirds – 62 per cent – are concerned that the government’s mishandling of the pandemic will result in a long-term recession. [...]
Investors clamp down on executives’ pension pay packets November 16, 2020 Investors are piling further pressure on companies to scale back executive pension packets to align with the rest of their workforce. In the past it has been common for executives’ pension contributions to be considerably higher than the rest of the workforce. Some progress has been made in bridging the gap but now investors want [...]
What should investors care about most: A vaccine or the US President? November 13, 2020 | City Talk The result of the US election was big news for the world, for the economy and markets. But as an investor I’ve always considered the pandemic of far greater consequence. Vaccine news steals election thunder Joe Biden’s electoral success was duly eclipsed by the news on Monday that an effective Covid-19 vaccine may have been [...]
DEBATE: Will the National Security and Investment Bill make it harder for the UK to remain a business hub? November 13, 2020 Max von Thun, senior associate at political advisory firm Global Counsel, says YES. Under the screening regime proposed by the new National Security and Investment Bill, a much higher number of deals will be subject to potential government intervention on national security grounds for up to five years after they have taken place. In addition [...]
What does the US election mean for healthcare investors? November 12, 2020 | City Talk Voting has already begun in the US presidential election with many polls predicting a win for Democrat candidate Joe Biden. A Biden victory has been perceived in many quarters as likely to be negative for the healthcare sector. However, as with everything to do with US healthcare, the reality is more complicated. The main focus [...]
Green Bonds are misguided, counter-productive, and an investment handicap November 12, 2020 On Monday, the chancellor announced that the UK government will soon be issuing “Green Bonds”. In separate but related news, Scottish Widows will dump £400m of stocks that don’t meet Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. ESG compliance has become the first thing discussed at investment committee meetings. Everyone wants to show how green they [...]