Market Update: Calm but not comfortable
Last week’s political events did not disturb markets until Israel’s military action on Iran on Friday morning. Even then, the reactions were relatively muted. In the days prior, Brent crude oil rose from $66 per barrel to $70 but other markets showed no discernible price reaction. Investors seem to be waiting for the actual event before deciding to move, as many past rumours have been nothing more, while much else can happen while one waits.
Navigating the New UK Inheritance Tax Rules: What Families Need to Know Before 2026
Last week, a number of the world’s stock markets edged closer to all-time highs. Thursday’s Musk-Trump spat weighed on Tesla shares, though, and therefore the US’ S&P 500 (and the ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech stocks in particular). Fortunately, other than entertaining the general public and knocking Tesla’s share price, there seems to be limited investment impact.
Market Update: Summer starts with less spring
Last week, a number of the world’s stock markets edged closer to all-time highs. Thursday’s Musk-Trump spat weighed on Tesla shares, though, and therefore the US’ S&P 500 (and the ‘Magnificent Seven’ tech stocks in particular). Fortunately, other than entertaining the general public and knocking Tesla’s share price, there seems to be limited investment impact.
Market Update: Complacency or checks and balances?
Last week’s pullback proved to be just a blip in the impressive stock market recovery. On tariffs, markets were buoyed in the early part of the week by the notion of the so-called “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chickens Out) and then, on Thursday, the US Court of International Trade’s ruling that the tariffs already imposed were illegal – though an appeals court quickly suspended the decision, allowing tariffs in the meantime. The trade court’s ruling made markets happy but Trump angry, as did the TACO epithet.
Vizion Wealth Welcomes New Partner, Tean Hatt, to Leadership Team
We are delighted to announce that Tean Hatt, our experienced Chartered Independent Financial Adviser, has now been promoted to Partner at Vizion Wealth after recently being approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This exciting development marks an important step forward for our business and reflects the strength, dedication, and professionalism of our team. Tean’s promotion to Partner recognises not only his deep expertise and experience in financial planning but also his continued commitment to building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and being integral to the ongoing growth and development of Vizion Wealth
Market Update: Return of the bond vigilantes
After weeks of unimpeded recovery, last week’s pull back in global stock prices was probably to be expected. The story that Trump is back on the tariff war-path with the EU, planning to impose 50% levies (possibly before the “90-day” deadline) has pushed all developed markets as we write. After the period of playing nice, many investors expected some nastiness so the shock will be limited, and seen as a negotiating tactic. This story will unfold over the coming days.
Trump’s Tariffs Create Turbulence in Global Markets
The first quarter of 2025 has been anything but steady for global markets. With the return of President Donald Trump’s administration in the United States, economic tensions have surged worldwide. Global stock markets have been left rattled as sweeping tariffs—intended to bolster the American economy—were introduced.
Market Update: A rally that requires belief
A good week for US stocks has erased the year’s losses in dollar terms (in sterling terms, they are mildly negative). The tech-heavy NASDAQ index is officially in a bullish trend – passing the 20% up mark from April’s trough. The recovery from last month’s “Liberation Day” sell-off has been extraordinary for most major equity regions, many of whom are still beating the US year-to-date.
Market Update: Markets calm but trouble still bubbles
Despite the India-Pakistan hostilities, markets remained calm this week. Measured price volatility came down substantially although, due to global economic uncertainty, implied future volatility – the cost of insuring your assets against sudden losses – is still relatively high. But investors seem to feel that US trade wars will be sufficiently resolved and growth will resume.
Market Update: No news is good news…
It starts as a pretty good week for global markets. That is despite dire US GDP figures, mixed earnings reports from the biggest US tech companies and, for us, disappointing news that a US-UK trade deal is unlikely to come soon. Investors feel positive because they think the White House chaos has abated, and Trump might now support growth rather than hinder it.
Market Update: Markets Bounce
Capital markets bounced last week and the mood notably improved. Media commentary put this down to Donald Trump’s softer rhetoric on Chinese tariffs, and his affirmation of the US central bank’s (the Federal Reserve’s) independence. Equities and bonds were positively impacted, not just in the US but across developed markets.
Avoiding Financial Pitfalls
Investing is essential for those looking to grow their wealth over time. Cash alone seldom keeps pace with inflation, as the interest it generates is usually too low to preserve its purchasing power. For beginners or those adopting a DIY approach to investing, recognising common mistakes can help protect them from potential financial pitfalls.
Market Update: Volatility drops but uncertainty remains
We head into the long Easter weekend with calmer markets than a week ago – but without any strong rebound. Time off from the tariff drama has helped the mood and eased last week’s liquidity concerns, but there still is not much to get excited about. Better than expected profits from microchip manufacturer TSMC boosted tech stocks, though that was counterbalanced by the earlier news that the US will effectively ban sales of Nvidia’s H20 chips to China.
Private Pensions Inherited by Beneficiaries Will No Longer Escape IHT
For years, private pensions have offered a tax-efficient way to pass on wealth to loved ones. Currently, any money left in a private pension fund upon death is exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT). However, this long-standing benefit is set to end. Following announcements by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, from April 2027, private pensions inherited by beneficiaries will no longer escape IHT.
Market Update: Ceasefire, not truce, in global trade war
After a week of eye-watering ups and downs, stock markets are roughly where they started but still well below where they were before Trump’s April 2nd ‘Liberation Day’. For bond holders, it has been equally volatile but prices are more than slightly down.
Market Update: Trump’s Liberation Day turns into market clear out
Donald Trump’s tariffs upset markets, which were unprepared for their magnitude. The US imposed a 10% tariff on most imports, and additional “reciprocal” tariffs on major trading partners. Unsurprisingly, this was followed by China’s 34% retaliatory tariff this morning. Global stocks sold off, as investors digest the prospect of a full-blown global trade war. Sharply lower bond yields reflect markets’ downgraded global growth expectations. Just like past growth scares, these are trying times for investors, but we must stay level-headed. Markets often overcorrect to shocks and, as a result, the ensuing recovery is often swift. If you sell risk assets...
Lifetime Transfers and the Seven-Year Rule
Potentially Exempt Transfers (PETs) and Chargeable Lifetime Transfers (CLTs) broadly define gifts made during an individual's lifetime. Their classification depends on the nature of the gift and the recipient. It's equally important to note that some lifetime transfers are exempt, meaning they are not subject to tax.
Market Update: Tariff ‘stick’ to be followed by ‘fiscal’ carrot?
As most of us are aware, markets have recently been taking one step forward, one step back and this week was no different. Equity markets started with a bit of positivity amid talk that Trump’s April 2nd tariff “Liberation Day” was going to be calibrated and phased. Trump’s unexpected announcement on Thursday of permanent 25% tariffs on autos together with threats of further tariffs should trading partners counter them with retaliatory measures, was directly at odds with the markets’ latest expectations, and so down things came.
Do you fall into the 60% tax trap?
For many earners in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the highest Income Tax rate is 45%. However, while 45% is the highest ‘official’ rate, some individuals effectively pay a tax rate of 60% on part of their income. This phenomenon, commonly called the ‘60% tax trap,’ affects those earning over £100,000 and applies to their income between £100,000 and £125,140.
Market Update: Bracing for tariff “Liberation Day”
Capital markets were calmer for most of the week, with a little turbulence into the end. Up until Thursday close, stock prices moved higher and measures of intraday volatility fell somewhat, largely thanks to fewer signs of policy upheaval from the US government. The week’s biggest policy event – a meeting of the US Federal Reserve – gave little information that we did not already know or expect. American investors took this as a decent sign and, for the first time in a few weeks, the US was one of the better performers.