Local investment manager, Spring IM, has appointed Chantal Botterill as Chief Operating Officer.

SPRING IM founders, Simon O’Donoghue and Alfie Greenway, who have more than 45 years’ experience in the sector, recognised that there are many islanders who would like the opportunity to invest their money but wouldn’t qualify in terms of their ‘wealth’ with existing on-island wealth management firms.

Inflation and a new PM lead to uncertain times for the UK. UK CPI rose to 10.1% to July 2022, up from 9.4% in June, with household budgets bracing for another energy price cap increase in October. The FTSE 100 fell less than US and European indexes, with Small and Mid-cap indexes down 2.03% and 5.46% respectively over the period. The UK is poised for more fiscal policy uncertainty under a new PM. Along with Europe, the energy crisis from Russia’s war in Ukraine looks set to put more pressure on UK food and energy prices. Down 2.4% (UK All Share)

Many first-time investors ask a difficult question: Is now a good time to invest? The simple answer is… yes!

Find out from our experts why now is the right time to plan your long-term investment portfolio.

Wondering why bonds have struggled along with equities this year?

Falling commodity prices meant the FTSE100, due to its higher exposure to commodities, lagged other developed equity markets. The Bank of England is expected to increase interest rates by 0.5% as a means to cool inflation, with UK annual inflation rising to a 40-year high of 9.4% in the year to June 2022. While the Conservative Party decides shortly on who will lead the country next, UK economic growth is expected to slow as a result of multiple factors, including nationwide strikes. Up 4.2% (UK All Share)

Spring IM Chief Executive Simon O’Donoghue and Head of Investment Solutions Carmen Tyler on an investment platform for all

In this current environment of rising rates and slowing economic growth, the US dollar (USD) has become a safe-haven asset, which usually leads to challenging times for emerging markets (EM).

Tomorrow morning at 7.30am, the first group of swimmers will be setting off on the Jersey France Challenge to help raise funds for Dementia Jersey.

UK equity markets were down heavily, particularly in mid-caps. The Bank of England raised rates by a further 25bps to 1.25% and UK CPI YoY inflation reached 9.1%. British manufacturing (as shown by Manufacturing PMI) slowed to a two-year low, and consumer confidence is at a record low. Rising food and energy costs, coupled with rising borrowing costs such as mortgages, means the average UK household has seen negative wage growth. Down -6.2% (UK All Share)

The famous phrase “Let them eat cake” has often been attributed to Marie Antoinette, highlighting the Queen of France’s disregard for the starving peasants’ plight, which helped contribute to the French Revolution in 1789. In reality, the phrase was recorded as early as 1765 by Jean-Jacques Rousseau. However, it does serve to highlight how dangerous it is to underestimate the impact of a starving population. History is filled with examples of political unrest attributed to this issue. As food inflation rises around the world, and the cost of living increases, we have already seen governments begin to recognise this very concern.

With more job vacancies in the UK than unemployed people contributing to 40-year inflation highs, a summer of strike activity is bound to lead to economic uncertainty and market turbulence ahead.

We are delighted to welcome Chantal Botterill onboard the Spring IM team as our new COO.

With the average price of petrol almost £1.80 per litre in the UK it now costs £100 to fill a typical family car according to the RAC. No doubt the war in Ukraine, which has led to sanctions on Russia, has had a major impact on recent prices but what other factors are at play?

Annual UK CPI came in at 9.0% due to spiralling electricity and oil and gas price rises. The FTSE100 was the best performing equity market, attributed to its heavier weighting in energy stocks. The Bank of England raised interest rates to their highest level since 2009, but still warned of a possible recession. As focus turned away from inflation to slowing growth, gilts had their best performance since March 2020. UK GDP rose by 1.3% in the first quarter 2022, vs -0.9% in Q4 21. Up 0.4% (UK All Share).

The Channel Islands’ first digital investment platform has been launched by spring IM

In times of market volatility, especially in equity markets, USD reigns supreme.

Key Points

• The US is less effected by events in Ukraine and their economy seems reasonably strong compared to other countries, despite inflationary pressures overall.

• The US is acting more aggressively in terms of monetary tightening, relative to Europe or Japan.

UK GDP grew 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 while Manufacturing PMI fell to 55.2 in March from 58.0 in February. Earnings from Astra Zeneca, Reckitt Benckiser came in higher than expected, with both benefiting from their defensive non-discretionary properties. UK CPI rose to a 30-year high of 7.0% in March, with the biggest contributor being the rise in fuel prices. Retail sales fell in April as stores reported a fall in sales volumes, with consumers showing signs of changing their spending habits to counter the effects of rising inflation. Down -0.1% (UK All Share)

UK markets rose modestly over the month as the Chancellor’s Spring statement weighed on investor sentiments. UK CPI inflation reached a 30-year high of 6.2%, translating into a hefty fall in disposable incomes alongside rising NI contributions. Large cap stocks, as tracked by FTSE 100, outperformed small and midcaps due to its large weighting in oil & gas and mining stocks. Meanwhile, in an effort to tackle inflation, BoE raised rates for the third time by 0.25% to 0.75%. Up 0.7% (UK All Share)

Returns were dominated again by large-cap companies, with the FTSE 100 largely flat. Continuing falls were seen, however, in the mid and small-cap indices, which were both down by more than 3%. The All Share Index, which is dominated by the FTSE 100, sustained only a modest fall during the month, as the UK market has a high exposure to oil and resources stocks, which continued to be driven higher by events in Ukraine. The UK market continues to be the best of the major equity markets so far this year. Down -0.8% (UK All Share)