Andrew’s Views The final quarter of 2024 was marked by developments in many parts of the world, with the highly polarising US Presidential elections, following on the heels of the UK’s highly anticipated Autumn Budget. Throughout the last three months of 2024 we saw a shift in many global economic conditions, with the direction of [...]
December was a very busy month, with a lot of clients wanting advice in the run up to Christmas. We also had the Christmas light switch on just outside the MFM office, which many people from the local area attended (including the Mayor of Sunderland herself who kicked off the festivities). This was delayed slightly [...]
November kicked off with lots of annual review meetings, and a couple of presentation meetings which I had yet to witness. It was great to see how Andrew approached this style of appointment, as it was something I was completely unfamiliar with after working as a paraplanner for most of my career in financial services. [...]
October commenced with a great event hosted by investment managers Brewin Dolphin, which involved sampling different wines from all over the world, whilst also being briefed by their Chief Strategist, Guy Foster, on the state of different stock markets from where the various wines originated! October also involved getting more familiar with the processes and [...]
Andrew’s Views Last week was Thanksgiving weekend in the U.S. This important holiday tends to bring a gentle slowdown in activity. American markets were closed on Thursday 28th November and had a shorter trading day on Friday, allowing many investors to take a long weekend. The week was relatively quiet for markets due to the [...]
I get asked this question a lot. In fact, its possibly the most asked question from new clients that I get. The answer, as always, is: it depends. In most people’s circumstances it makes a lot more sense to hold on to your tax free cash and not take it yet. If you think about [...]
I have been asked this question a lot over the past couple of months. It doesn’t help that the Chancellor and the Prime Minister are constantly going on about how tough the budget is going to have to be. I must have read 100 reports that state the author knows what will be announced, only [...]
US Global equities reached a new high last Monday, before cooling a little throughout the week. This is an appropriate time for the post-election euphoria to cool and for some details of the new regime to emerge, despite President-elect Donald Trump not taking office until 20 January. Last week saw confirmation that both houses of [...]
Andrew’s Views ‘But’ Economies throughout the world are doing well at the moment. News last week regarding US jobs data was significantly better than expected meaning that the chance of a recession is becoming less and less likely. China’s fiscal stimulus is having the desired effect with Chinese equities rising 20% at one point. Economists [...]
Our standard advice is that everybody should have a Will. However, some people need one more than others. If you die without a Will, and you’re married or in a civil partnership with children then everything held in joint names will go to your spouse/partner when you die. For anything held in your sole name, [...]
