Brad Holland

From pubs to publications, bashing the UK economy is a beloved national sport. But how justified is this collective pessimism? We examine a range of metrics – many of which show a rosier picture.

Returns from global bonds have disappointed in recent years. What's been behind this, and can low-risk portfolios still protect investors from the impacts of inflation?

Geopolitical events have taken a turn for the worse recently, particularly given the conflict in the Middle East. However, when it comes to the global economy, from an investment perspective there are reasons to believe the time is right for a small global equity overweight (compared to long-term targets) in Nutmeg's managed portfolios. This includes the Fully managed, Socially responsible, and Thematic investing styles. 

We all know that investing involves taking more risk than leaving cash on deposit in a savings account with a bank or other financial institution. However, depositors need to be aware of three hidden risks.

We look at the story behind UK inflation, and consider what its slow decline means for financial markets and investors

Recent poor bond market performance has caught many by surprise; not least because bond-based investments are expected to have low long-term volatility. Here we explain how the events of 2022 came to be and lay out a framework for suggesting where government bond yields are likely to settle.  

It’s fair to say that chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget on 23rd September, with its tax-cutting and pro-growth agenda, has not been wholly welcomed by markets. The pound hit an all-time low against the dollar (at $1.03 on Monday 26th, its lowest since Britain went decimal in 1971), while bond markets have also slumped. So, what’s caused this angst, and how does this impact our investment strategy? 

It’s been a long journey, but governments in the developed world are beginning to withdraw policy stimulus. So, what has this journey looked like and what should you, the investor, expect next? 

“I’m getting old, and I need something to rely on”

Journalists and media outlets often lead on stories around market volatility and warnings of falling share prices or turmoil for investors. While this news can be unsettling, it is often looked at without any broader context. 

A lot has changed since we first wrote about bitcoin three years ago; indeed, even since January this year when we took another look. We have witnessed an incredible rise in volatility and expansion of the crypto offering, which led the FCA to issue the following statement at the start of 2021. 

Whether you’re saving for retirement or building your investment portfolio, it can be tempting to hit “pause” when things don’t quite go to plan. Before you stop your monthly contributions take a moment to consider your options and make sure you’re making the right choice for your future.