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Troubled stock markets sceptical of Trumps Hormuz promise

Oil prices reached as high as $85 a barrel yesterday as trade halted through the Strait of Hormuz. Gold fell 4% as higher Treasury yields offered safe-haven seekers an alternative home. Europe felt the brunt of investor concern; the FTSE 100 fell 2.75% yesterday. US markets were granted late reprieve from President Donald Trump who pledged insurance guarantees and escorts for tankers using Hormuz. Asia markets opened down today, sceptical of Trump’s Hormuz promise and hurt by the stronger US dollar. But European futures markets including the FTSE 100 are more measured. UK’s Spring Statement was overshadowed by events in Middle East
Posted on Wednesday Mar 4

OBR increases CGT forecasts by c.£20 billion by 2030/31

The updated fiscal outlook released by the OBR shows a significant increase in the estimated Capital Gains Tax take compared to the Autumn Budget 2025.

Posted on Tuesday Mar 3

Markets ignore Chancellor as Middle East dominates

Emma Wall, Chief Investment Strategist, Hargreaves Lansdown: “The Chancellor was keen to stress the higher growth, lower inflation outlook for the UK in today’s Spring Statement.
Posted on Tuesday Mar 3

Middle East tensions and the impact on portfolios

Events developing in the Middle East could have a significant global economic impact. What could this mean for investor portfolios? How are AJ Bell’s funds and MPS positioned in this context?
Posted on Tuesday Mar 3

Conflict sends oil prices surging as investors seek cover

Brent crude jumps 9% as widening conflict in the Middle East raises supply concerns. Prices at the pumps set to increase, causing fresh inflationary worries. Investors shelter in safe havens, with gold and silver prices rising. Airlines and financial stocks bear the brunt of the equity sell-off. FTSE 100 falls in early trade but remains relatively resilient given its make-up, with energy, defence and mining stocks rising. S&P 500 set to trade sharply lower, while a chill continues across the crypto market.
Posted on Monday Mar 2

Phoenix Group completes name change to Standard Life

Standard Life plc (‘Standard Life’ or the ‘Group’), a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement saving and income, has completed its name change from Phoenix Group Holdings plc (‘Phoenix Group’) and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker of SDLF from 8am today.
Posted on Monday Mar 2

HMRCs large business directorate grabs extra £15.8bn in tax

HMRC’s large business directorate’s close contact approach to managing tax compliance from large businesses has helped HMRC to obtain £15.8 billion in additional tax, which is double the amount from 2021-22. The large business directorate has a return on investment of £95 for every £1 spent on staff pay, which is four times higher than HMRC achieves across all taxpayers. HMRC is now exploring the viability of expanding this close contact approach beyond large businesses to cover other businesses that are complex or high-risk.
Posted on Friday Feb 27

UK confidence falls, US tech cools and AI triggers job cuts

UK markets set to open higher despite confidence drop. US markets retreat as software gets a rare moment in the light. Block cuts 40% of its staff – AI job displacement or corporate bloat? Oil prices steady as US-Iran talks offer a hint of progress
Posted on Friday Feb 27

New report benchmarks evolving benefits landscape

A new report showing a snapshot of how employers are shaping pensions and benefits in the face of major shifts in regulatory pressure is being launched today by Hymans Robertson.
Posted on Thursday Feb 26

FTSE100 tests new records but NVIDIA numbers fail to impress

FTSE 100 opens flat. Rolls-Royce opens the throttle, WPP profits plunge. US stock futures down despite NVIDIA blowout. Salesforce valuation weakens on modest guidance. Brent crude hovers around $71 per barrel
Posted on Thursday Feb 26

Sigh of relief as AI disruption fears ease for now

UK markets set to open higher. HSBC delivers 9% profit beat and upbeat guidance. US markets react to a slightly milder AI narrative. Paramount’s latest bid has Warner Bros’ attention. Oil steadies after two-day decline
Posted on Wednesday Feb 25

M&G completes £270m Bulk Purchase Annuity for Reach plc

M&G have announced a £270 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA), securing the pension scheme benefits of over 3,200 members of the Trinity Retirement Benefit Scheme (the “Scheme”), one of the pension schemes sponsored by media organisation Reach plc (the “Company”). Reach plc is the largest commercial news publisher in the UK and Ireland and owns both national and local titles including the Mirror, Express, Liverpool Echo and Manchester Evening News.

Posted on Wednesday Feb 25

Investors on edge over AI fear and tariff uncertainty

FTSE 100 flat as sector performance diverges. Croda narrowly beats forecasts. Gold dips as 15% baseline tariff fails to materialise, copper up again. Chinese stocks strong after New Year’s pause. US stock futures up. IT consulting hit by AI fear trade. Tariffs weigh on US banks and industrials. Brent Crude heads for $72 per barrel
Posted on Tuesday Feb 24

Young workers locked out of saving

4 in 5 Brits believe younger generations today are financially worse off than 20 years ago. 80% overall said it is harder for younger generations to save today. Nearly three quarters (74%) of over-55s agree young people face tougher financial challenges. Well over half (58%) across all generations say that the cost of living is a major factor. Nearly half (43%) cite the cost of housing as a key reason
Posted on Monday Feb 23

Tariff tug of war and a blockbuster week for results

UK markets lower as tariff agreement comes into question. US markets look set to unwind Friday’s gains. Supreme Court ruling could be positive in the long run. Oil prices pull back from six-month high. Major week for earnings with Nvidia, Rolls-Royce and IAG in focus
Posted on Monday Feb 23

CGT receipts surge to annual record as higher rates bite

The latest HMRC update on Capital Gains Tax (CGT) shows that receipts in January 2026 (which account for the vast majority of the year’s collections due to reporting and assessment deadlines) totalled £17.0 billion, an increase of £7.0 billion compared to the £10.0 billion recorded in January 2025.
Posted on Friday Feb 20

IHT receipts hit £7.1 bn and remain on track for record year

This morning’s HMRC update shows that Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts totalled £7.1 billion through the first ten months of the 2025/26 financial year (April 2025 to January 2026), an increase of £130 million compared to the same period in 2024/25 (£7.0 billion). With only two months of tax receipts yet to be collected in the current financial year, IHT remains on track to surpass last year’s record haul. Looking further ahead, IHT receipts are expected to continue to rise.

Posted on Friday Feb 20

Records, rate cuts and a booming red metal

FTSE 100 hits new highs as inflation cools. Nestlé with a much-needed pick-me-up. Rio Tinto puts copper centre stage. Wall Street edges higher despite rate jitters. Fed minutes reveal a house divided. Oil extends gains as US-Iran tensions rise
Posted on Thursday Feb 19

Standard Life complete buyin with IBM IT Solutions Pension

Standard Life has concluded a £700 million Bulk Purchase Annuity (BPA) transaction with the Trustee of the IBM I.T. Solutions Pension Scheme (the “I Plan”). The buy-in, covering both pensioners and deferred members, secures the benefits of over 3,600 members, while removing funding and investment risk for the I Plan. These members will continue to receive or be entitled to their benefits from the I Plan, just as they were before the transaction.
Posted on Wednesday Feb 18

PIC sign buyin with The Sopra Steria Retirements Scheme

Pension Insurance Corporation plc (‘PIC’), a specialist insurer of defined benefit pension schemes, has concluded a £113 million full buy-in with the Steria Management Plan Section (the ‘Section’) of the Sopra Steria Retirement Benefits Scheme (the ‘Scheme’). The buy-in secures the benefits of all 355 Section members within the Scheme.
Posted on Wednesday Feb 18

Comments as inflation falls to 3% for January

Standard Life, XPS comment as CPI falls to 3% in January, its lowest level since March 2025, following Christmas inflation bump. Softer price pressures strengthen the case for a potential March interest rate cut
Posted on Wednesday Feb 18

What does the Year of the Horse mean for investors

China will aim to operate a ‘moderately loose’ monetary policy in 2026, as part of continued attempts to raise domestic demand. Many Chinese companies are opening themselves to foreign investors in a bid to fund further research and development fund ideas to gain exposure to growth and add diversity to portfolios
Posted on Tuesday Feb 17

ICSWG launches its Investment Stewardship Alignment Tool

The Investment Consultants Sustainability Working Group (ICSWG) has launched its Investment Stewardship Alignment Tool.
Posted on Tuesday Feb 17

PIC completes full buyin for Vistry's Final Salary Pension

Pension Insurance Corporation plc has concluded a £155 million buy-in with the Trustee of Vistry’s Final Salary Pension Schemes, covering the pensions of 1,671 members. The transaction covers the Bovis Homes Pension Scheme, Galliford Try Final Salary Pension Scheme, and Kendall Cross Holdings Limited Pension and Assurance Scheme (together “the Schemes”), all sponsored by Vistry.
Posted on Monday Feb 16

M&G completes BPA with global engineering company Senior plc

M&G plc has announced a £180 million bulk purchase annuity (BPA) buy-in, securing pension benefits for over 3,000 members of the Senior plc Pension Plan. The Plan Sponsor is Senior plc, an international manufacturer of high technology components and systems, specialist in Fluid Conveyance and Thermal Management, in the worldwide aerospace and defence, land vehicle and power and energy markets.
Posted on Monday Feb 16