Walker Crips' Market Commentary Walker Crips Investment Management Limited

Last week saw economists divided over the timing of the anticipated interest rate cuts by the Bank of England (“BOE”). A Reuters poll revealed a division between forecasts for a June cut and a delay until the third quarter. Despite inflation easing to 3.2% year-on-year in March, slightly above the expected 3.1%, persistent service prices and wage growth may delay the BOE’s monetary easing. The International Monetary Fund’s recent downward revision of the UK's growth outlook further complicates the BOE's decision-making, emphasising the need for a cautious approach amid prolonged weak growth...
Stocks featured:
Anglo American, Barclays and NatWest Group

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/
This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 226344) and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

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As inflation dynamics diverge between the UK and the US, the Bank of England (“BOE”) is poised for potential interest rate cuts ahead of the Federal Reserve. Bloomberg reports that the momentum of lowering inflation in the UK, with further easing expected, bolsters the case for a summer rate cut. Despite warnings from BOE Monetary Policy Committee members Jonathan Haskel, Catherine Mann and Megan Greene about the likelihood of rate cuts, market dynamics suggest a shift in monetary policy could occur sooner due to the UK's distinct economic conditions.
Stocks featured:
Mondi, Dr Martens and Dunlem

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/
This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

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The former Chair of the US Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, has offered a candid assessment of the Bank of England's ("BOE") forecasting processes, highlighting shortcomings such as outdated modelling software and staff carrying out manual functions which could be automated. While providing recommendations for improvement, Bernanke stopped short of advocating major departures from the BOE's traditional approach to monetary policy, leaving such reforms for future consideration. As discussions within the central bank continue, the review marks a pivotal moment for reassessing the UK's monetary policy framework...
Stocks featured:
Centrica, Fresnillo and Rio Tinto

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/
This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst evolving economic indicators and shifting market sentiments, the Bank of England's (“BOE”) latest Decision Maker Panel survey indicates a moderation in both inflation and wage forecasts. The survey highlights a decline in year-ahead own price inflation to 4.1% in the three months to March, down from 4.3% in February, suggesting a slight easing in price pressures. Similarly, one-year ahead Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) declined to 3.2% from 3.3%, while three-year ahead CPI stood at 2.7% versus the previous 2.8%, indicating a tempered inflation outlook. Moreover, the survey reports a year-ahead wage growth of 4.9% on a three-month moving average basis, coupled with an annual wage growth of 6.4% in March, reflecting a gradual slowdown in wage growth momentum.
While the UK economy continues its recovery trajectory, the pace appears to have eased slightly, particularly within the services sector. The final services sector Purchasing Managers' Index (“PMI”) for March came in at 53.1, slightly below the estimate of 53.4, indicating a modest upturn in activity. However, this moderation leaves the composite reading at 52.8, below February's nine-month high...
Stocks featured:
Fresnillo, Ocado and Future

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/
This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 226344) and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amidst recent economic data demonstrating a challenging landscape, the UK economy finds itself navigating through uncertain waters. Official figures released by Reuters last week confirmed that the UK economy slipped into a shallow recession last year, with gross domestic product ("GDP") contracting by 0.1% in the second quarter last year and 0.3% in the final quarter of 2023. Although unchanged from preliminary estimates, these numbers underscore the fragile state of the economy.
The weak starting point for GDP growth in 2024 suggests that the pace of recovery may be modest, with forecasts indicating growth limited to less than 1% for the calendar year. Structural headwinds are expected to constrain growth, prompting concerns that prolonged high-interest rates could exacerbate risks to the economy...
Stocks featured:
Big Technologies, James Halstead and YouGov

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/
This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bank of England (“BOE”) last week announced its decision to maintain the benchmark interest rate at 5.25%, signalling a cautious approach amidst evolving economic conditions. However, recent developments in the UK's economic landscape have sparked speculation about potential shifts in monetary policy. With headline inflation easing to 3.4% in February, slightly below the BOE's forecast, attention turns to the central bank's stance on interest rate cuts. 
Stocks featured:
Next, Judges Scientific and Trustpilot Group

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:
https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.