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Despite a lot of political noise and further threats around tariffs, equity markets delivered strong returns in July. After several months of the dollar weakening versus sterling (and other major currencies), the US currency rebounded over the month, delivering additional returns to sterling investors. Global equities posted a sterling return of 5.7%, mainly driven by the US market which posted a healthy 6.9% return. All major equity returns posted positive returns, with the UK market +3.9%…

On Tuesday, Japan and the US announced a trade agreement that Trump heralded as the “largest trade deal in history”

In return, Japan will invest $550bn into the US, and according to Trump, the US “will receive 90% of the profits.” The investment is expected to be made via equity and loan support to Japanese business investments in pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors…

An ongoing problem in the financial services industry is how much capital people hold in cash. According to the FCA’s Cash Savings Market Review, in 2023, UK consumers held £1.5trn in savings accounts. With recent market volatility and higher interest rates, it is unsurprising that some people may assume that their money is better held in cash…

On Tuesday, Japan and the US announced a trade agreement that Trump heralded as the “largest trade deal in history”

In return, Japan will invest $550bn into the US, and according to Trump, the US “will receive 90% of the profits.” The investment is expected to be made via equity and loan support to Japanese business investments in pharmaceuticals, critical minerals and semiconductors…

Earlier this year, the FCA announced its intention to undertake a multi-firm review of MPS . While waiting for the regulator to reveal their findings may not be keeping you awake at night, it will be an important test of how firms have adapted their services to deliver good client outcomes post-Consumer Duty…

As Donald Trump’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein came back to haunt him and drive a rift between him, prominent MAGA loyalists and his base, the S&P and NASDAQ reached record highs.

Major banks, including JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, PNC and Bank of America reported better than expected earnings for Q2. The common consensus from the US banks seems to be that corporate clients have moved on from Trump’s tariffs and, according to Morgan Stanley CEO, Ted Pick, “boardrooms appear more accepting of ongoing uncertainty broadly.” Despite US consumer debt currently standing at $17.57tn…