Is the high street really doomed? June 26, 2018 UK high street retailers have endured a torrid time over the last few years. A slew of store closures, job losses and administrations don’t make for pretty headlines, and illustrate just how difficult it is for those looking to invest in the retail sector. Discount retailer Poundworld followed electronics firm Maplin and toy retailer Toys [...]
Where next for markets as Europe moves from recovery to expansion? February 16, 2018 Market volatility rose at the start of February against a backdrop of strong economic data, causing many investors to question whether the bull-run for the stock market was over. Can Europe’s economic momentum continue and how will tighter monetary policy affects investments? At the 2018 Schroders Investment Conference investment experts discussed the economic outlook for [...]
Shirt pull: Classic football kits have never been bigger business thanks to the 90s fashion boom and looming World Cup March 28, 2018 During this summer’s World Cup you will be nearly as certain to spot a football fan sporting a France shirt from 1998 or West Germany’s block-patterned effort from 1990 as you are to see someone kitted out in the latest England kit. Vintage football shirts have not only become commonplace at stadiums, in the pub, [...]
Shenzhen, San Jose, Tel Aviv: global cities to watch in 2018 February 12, 2018 As investors in global cities we compile a biannual index using a number of factors to identify the most economically vibrant cities. With the publication of the latest version of the index, we’ve also taken the opportunity to highlight those cities that we believe have the greatest potential to move up the rankings in 2018. [...]
Mayor’s concessions to the unions over Tube strikes will cost £17m a year, say GLA Conservatives February 1, 2017 Efforts to avoid a repeat of this month's hugely disruptive Tube strike will come at a hefty cost, GLA Conservatives have warned. London Underground (LU) bosses have been in fresh talks with the RMT union to try and avoid more walkouts starting at the end of this week. As part of its proposals made to both the RMT [...]
Bank of England plans to allow EU banks in the UK lighter regulation option after Brexit December 20, 2017 The Bank of England (BoE) has today announced it will allow European wholesale banks to operate as branches in the UK after Brexit, removing the threat of a much stronger regulatory regime which bankers feared would harm their profits. European wholesale banks and insurers will be able to apply for authorisation to operate as a [...]
Which countries are most at risk from a trade war? June 14, 2018 The US and China have been trading fierce rhetoric over the past two months, threatening to slap billions of dollars' worth of tariffs on each other's goods and services. If the skirmish turns into a full-blown trade war could it threaten the global economic recovery? While the current dispute between the two countries hasn’t officially [...]
If water firms still use ‘diving rods’, what magic should investors believe in? December 29, 2017 With Santa Claus steeling himself to fill the stockings of more than two billion children in a matter of hours last Sunday night (NB: figures not adjusted for final naughty/nice calculations), Christmas is traditionally a time of magic or, perhaps, the willing suspension of disbelief. However, we do wonder if there is enough of either [...]
How interest rates might increase over the next two years February 9, 2018 UK policymakers’ concerns about inflation have prompted Schroders’ economists to bring forward to November their expectations of a rise in interest rates. Schroders senior European economist and strategist Azad Zangana now predicts the base rate to rise in November 2018 by 25 basis points, up from 0.50% to 0.75%. This is before the two rate [...]
Bank of England predictions shift: How interest rates might increase over the next two years February 9, 2018 UK policymakers’ concerns about inflation have prompted Schroders’ economists to bring forward to November their expectations of a rise in interest rates. Schroders senior European economist and strategist Azad Zangana now predicts the base rate to rise in November 2018 by 25 basis points, up from 0.50% to 0.75%. This is before the two rate [...]