Insights and events for financial advisers

Conflict between major global players has reinforced a long‑standing investment reality: economic growth remains anchored to energy. The latest disruption highlights Europe’s energy vulnerability, the limits of conventional defensive assets and the growing importance of global diversification. These dynamics point to lasting implications for asset allocation as geopolitical alignment continues to shift.

We work with advisers to help make the investment side of decumulation more repeatable, more resilient, and easier to oversee.

As speculation rises that a left-winger could replace Keir Starmer, UK gilt yields have risen to levels last seen before the financial crisis, bringing renewed focus to inflation, public finances and borrowing costs. Equity markets continue to be supported by earnings growth and AI investment, even as higher yields play a more visible role.

Every so often, a change in legislation comes along that asks us to pause and reassess the fundamentals of financial planning. The government’s decision to include unused pension funds within inheritance tax (IHT) from 6 April 2027 is one of those moments. You will have seen headlines and be thinking about what this means for your clients and their retirement plans, specifically if they are planning to pass wealth on.

Markets remain resilient despite geopolitical and political uncertainty, with oil prices, strong corporate earnings, and AI optimism supporting momentum. However, investor behaviour and rising UK political instability could influence sentiment and keep risks firmly in focus.

Not too much and not too little. How investments can support you through retirement so your money provides the life you want without running out.

We caution against taking too defensive an investment stance. We believe markets will look through negative effects in the short term, as long as they expect resolution in the long term.

David Coombs joins Citywire journalists John Schaffer, Joseph Eden and Jeremy Gordon to discuss key topics including manager exits after Goldman Sachs Asset Management bought a Dutch asset manager, as well as SpaceX and the Halo trade.

Market volatility reinforces the value of having a clear investment plan. By setting asset allocations, diversification and valuation targets in advance, market dislocations can be used to rebalance portfolios and act where fundamentals and valuations justify it rather than reacting emotionally to short‑term noise.

A one‑year reflection on Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, assessing the real market impact and the long‑term investment lessons for advisers navigating periods of political and economic uncertainty.

The longer the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, the greater the disruption to the global economy. Recognising this risk, we're continuing to build resilience into portfolios.

David Coombs, Head of Multi‑Asset Investments at Rathbones Asset Management, joins Victoria Scholar, Head of Investments at Interactive Investor, and Tara Fitzpatrick, Multi‑Asset Fund Manager at Schroders, to explore the key risks facing markets, what they could mean for investors, and how to navigate them.

War in the Middle East interrupted what had been a strong start to the year for both bonds and equities. Inflation is suddenly back on the worry list and hopes for imminent interest rate cuts have evaporated. We explore how current events are unfolding and where risks and opportunities are being uncovered.

Conflicting information is making it challenging to see markets clearly. In spite of this, there are attractive opportunities to be had.

President Trump's blockade on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is a high-risk, high-stakes strategy for the negotiating table. That means risks for markets too.

It’s best to stick to long-term strategies, rather than trying to trade on the unpredictable twists and turns of this war.