We raised £3,215 for CALM!

Posted on October 19, 2022 by - Uncategorised

As many of you know, last month on the 10th of September, many members of the Buckingham Gate team took part in the Thames Bridges Trek Ultra Challenge; a 25k trek across London city, zig-zagging over 16 historic bridges, to raise money for The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

We Live In Unusual Times (Or Do We?)

Posted on September 29, 2022 by - Uncategorised

Things are changing at breakneck speed in the economic world at the moment!

It seems almost unthinkable that we entered 2022, just 9 months or so ago, with stock markets at or near record highs, bond markets also near all-time highs, and interest rates at or close to zero around the world.

Fast forward to September and how things has changed. We have now experienced 7 back-to-back interest rate rises in the UK (and odds on there are more on the way) with a similar story playing out across most western economies. Stock markets, and especially bond markets have struggled in this environment and now it seems almost inevitable that consumers will begin to suffer too as the cost of living continues to surge and borrowing costs increase.

It seems we are living in unusual times… or are we?

Experts and Analysts

Posted on July 22, 2022 by - Uncategorised

So often, we hear prophecies about the future direction of travel for markets from so-called ‘experts’ and ‘analysts’.

Now, please don’t get me wrong, I will always talk about my views and opinions on what is happening or what might happen in markets, politics, tax legislation, etc. In fact, I love to have these conversations. However, I am always very clear that I “don’t have a crystal ball” and that markets have usually priced in all known information, and so generally the only thing that moves markets is new, currently unknown information, which subsequently comes to light.

The issue I have is that these so-called experts and analysts seem to act as if they do have a crystal ball. As if they can see the future. They seem to state their views and opinions as facts and because they are “experts and analysts” they must know what they are talking about – surely?

Richard

Posted on July 8, 2022 by - Uncategorised

I could write a post today about Boris (sort of) resigning and the resulting political turmoil. However, that situation is moving at a million miles an hour and the post will probably be out of date by the time I have finished writing it.

Suffice to say that the Buckingham Gate Investment Committee is in regular communication with our investment partners and we will be considering the implications for client portfolios, however, for the time being, the markets seem pretty content with an end to the circus surrounding Westminster in recent weeks.

I am going to write instead today about Richard.