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Is the Chinese dragon losing its appetite for industrial metals?
Last Updated: July 4, 2025
For many years the fortunes of the FTSE mining sector have been linked to developments in China. Rapid growth in demand for commodities like iron ore and copper in the late 2000s led to what became known as the first mining supercycle. That was followed by a downturn from 2011—15 as slowing demand from China combined with overexpansion of mining production.
Investment report – Peace of mind in a dangerous world
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
Recent events have shown us that the destruction of human life from geopolitical events can sometimes render their impact on financial markets trivial in comparison. But we have a responsibility to consider the investment implications, prepare for and monitor them.
Use them or lose them
Last Updated: August 15, 2024
Make sure you’re not paying more tax than necessary by taking advantage of all your annual allowances before the end of the tax year.
Japanese equities are coming into the light
Last Updated: July 4, 2025
Foreign investors have long regarded the Japanese stock market as akin to a samurai defeated in battle, sitting in his crumbling castle and ruminating on the bittersweet memory of his glory years. Granted, Japan’s Topix stock index has never returned to the stratospheric level of close to 2,900 reached in 1989, shortly before the market bubble burst. However, it has surged this year to a 33-year high, helped by increasing interest from overseas investors. We think this interest is justified for several reasons, and still see a lot of potential for Japanese companies.
Gather together as a family to talk about financial plans
Last Updated: February 27, 2024
Take advantage of a time when your family is together to make sure you're all on the same page when it comes to your financial plans.
Review of the week: The wave
Last Updated: July 1, 2024
The right-wing Rassemblement National was the big winner in the first round of French elections, but the most conclusive vote comes this weekend. Before then, the UK votes on its own Parliament.
Investment Update: Budget 2023: Goodbye lifetime allowance
Last Updated: March 17, 2023
Better economic forecasts open the door to big tax breaks on pensions and business investment, maintaining the energy price cap, and benefit reforms to encourage more into the workforce.
The shift to clean energy and its impact on our biodiversity
Last Updated: June 19, 2024
In late October 2023, the UK government backed calls for a global moratorium on deep-sea mining over concerns about its impact on the environment, after dozens of British scientists signed a letter entreating Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to do so.
Will the green transition help or hinder economic expansion?
Last Updated: January 20, 2023
The fortunes of all investors – charities included – are bound up to some extent with global economic growth. We look at how the transition to net zero could play out on the global economic stage over the longer term – and, by implication, how that could impact on investors’ portfolios.
Investing advanced school fee payments
Last Updated: May 14, 2024
As the threat of VAT being added to independent school fees becomes more realistic, we understand that there has been a surge in interest in advanced fee payment schemes. For those independent schools in receipt of funds from such schemes, we look at the options to earn a monetary return on the cash before the associated expenditure falls due.
Earth Convention webinar: Creating a green transition in energy and finance
Last Updated: January 20, 2023
Earth Convention webinar: watch our panel discuss creating a green transition in energy and finance.
How does inheritance tax affect your estate?
Last Updated: August 21, 2024
During our recent "Talking to the next generation about money webinar", a third of people said their primary concern is that their family will have to pay too much inheritance tax after they die. So how does it work and how can you take advantage of ways to mitigate this tax?