2016 - Knightsbridge Wealth

What does 2017 have in store?

The fall in sterling turned 2016 from a difficult year for UK-based investors into a good one, but with sterling more likely to appreciate in 2017 than weaken further, that tailwind is no longer blowing.

Italy triggers next Euro-zone crisis

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s resounding referendum defeat on 4th December, and his subsequent resignation, have not caused much market turmoil. But over the long term, the political and financial consequences are difficult to anticipate.

Uncertainty high in France

Sunday’s final round of the Republican Presidential primary may be decisive for France and Europe in 2017. The winner – either Alain Juppé or François Fillon – would be a major opponent of Front National’s Marine Le Pen next year.

It’s Trump!

Donald Trump has been elected the 45th President of the United States. Much like Brexit, this was widely unanticipated by political commentators, pollsters and investors alike, and the initial market reaction to the result was sharply negative.

Winners and losers in Sterling’s fall

Just after the vote for Brexit, the pound was in turmoil and fell about 11%. Sterling is falling again and recently fell to its lowest level in more than 30 years.

Did Portugal’s bailout work?

It is always a pleasure being in Lisbon. Yet, there are more people around my hotel begging for money than I have seen before, and there is certainly not the feeling of an economy emerging strongly after the debt crisis.

Israel’s cost of living problem

Israel is more expensive than Japan.

Brazil’s Olympian returns

The Olympics and Paralympics have put Brazil under the spotlight this summer. As well as the fantastic sporting action (with a special nod to Team GB), the country’s stock market proved a real champion.

Oil glut drives prices lower again

Oil fell to 12-year lows under $30 a barrel in January 2016, before almost doubling by May. Now it is back on the slide.

Interest rates down – and further cuts lie ahead

Yesterday’s 0.25% interest rate cut by the Bank of England is the first rate change in over seven years.

Italy’s failing banks worry Euro-zone

The possibility of banking collapses in Italy is concerning many European leaders.

India’s dampened growth

I was not prepared for the severity of the monsoon rains on my visit to the capital, New Delhi, which makes travel around the city virtually impossible.

Spain after Brexit

Whilst it is usually a joy to be in Madrid on a July afternoon, my meetings with financial professionals today have been dominated with worries about the UK’s decision to leave the European Union and how it will affect Spain.

US shrugs off Brexit

The US market was shocked by Brexit. US companies get about 13% of their revenues from continental Europe.

Buy To Let’s worrying outlook

Buying a property to rent out has long been a popular investment for both Britons as well as foreign investments, wanting to benefit from rises in the UK’s property market.

Life after Brexit

Following Thursday’s clear win for the ‘Leave’ campaign in the UK’s referendum on the European Union, Britain is adjusting to its future.

Two days to go : UK decides on its European future

Investment markets are see-sawing in the final stretches of the EU referendum campaign, but investors will be wondering whether there will be any respite once the voting is over.

It’s got to be summer : France is on strike.

This week, I took my family to a holiday in Brittany, France, meaning we could evidence at first hand the current disputes and the dysfunctional nature of France’s economy.

Fuel is running low.

Greece braced for more austerity

It’s been almost a year since I was last in Athens, but life continues as before. I was unable to travel from the airport on the metro since it is on strike, together with trains, trams and buses.

Germany’s economic mirage

Most commentators are optimistic on the prospects for growth in the European equity markets. Company earnings are growing and monetary easing aids the chances of a continued recovery.

London property price fall

In March, we reported that London’s property market may finally be cooling. Latest figures now confirm that to be the case.

Portugal : Beyond austerity

It is always a pleasure to be in Portugal. Particularly yesterday, watching Lisbon’s residents celebrate National Freedom Day.

Brexit : Official campaign launched

Last Friday saw the start of the official 10-week campaign leading to the 23rd June referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. Markets will be reactive to swings in the campaign, which can also be influenced by other global events.

Myanmar’s stock market : open for business

In December, I wrote about Myanmar’s economic potential. The first few months of this year have already seen significant developments to help it realize its true potential.

An oil price recovery?

A few weeks ago the oil price was said to be heading down to $20 a barrel, or even less. The glut of oil was increasing as Iran re-joined the global economy and Saudi Arabia kept pumping furiously.

Deflation makes Japan a buy

Lex in the Financial Times recently reported that “If China wants a lesson in how to shock markets without upsetting them, it could look to its neighbour.

London’s falling property market

Unlike much of the rest of the UK, house prices in London have risen sharply in recent years, and surpassed their pre-2008 peaks. This started in the “super-prime” areas of central and west London.

India’s auspicious outlook

When India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, came to power in May 2014, his victory propelled the stock-market to a new record. But now his honeymoon is well and truly over.

UK’s banks are suffering

Two of Britain’s lenders with big global footprints both announced disappointing results last week.

Brexit campaign launched

After a period of long and, at times, tense negotiations, David Cameron has secured a deal with the European Union about the terms of the UK membership.

Oil price plunge damaging government finances

The damage to government finances caused by the sharp slide in oil prices is spreading far beyond the Middle East.

Japan: a buying opportunity

Japan has fallen into another bear market, with the Nikkei 225 index now 20% below its early December level.

An Egyptian Anniversary

It is an exciting time to be Cairo. My hotel is on Tahir Square and today is the fifth anniversary of the uprising here against the ousted dictator, Hosni Mubarak.

Oil prices: lower for longer

The oil price has today fallen below $28 a barrel amid fears the lifting of Western sanctions on Iran could worsen the existing oversupply problem. Oil prices have now fallen by more than 70% in the past 15 months.

A volatile start to 2016

2016 began on a sour note for global equity markets.