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Central banks were active this week, as both the Federal Reserve and Bank of England held their final meetings of the year, setting the stage for what is sure to be a very interesting 2025.

At LGT, giving back is a key part of our philosophy. As a growing business in the wealth management sector, we believe it is our responsibility to use our resources to make a positive social impact within the wider community and support causes that are helping to tackle important issues.

In November, the US elected Donald Trump as their 47th President, but what impact could this result have on markets? Looking more broadly across the rest of the world, geopolitical events and inflation continue to create uncertainty as we approach the end of the year.

2024 has undeniably been another momentous year for US equities, with returns dominated by the strong performance of technology stocks. We look back on the year from both an investment perspective and through the lens of the issues and developments that have both impacted and will impact our clients in the future.

Navigating the intricacies of retirement planning, particularly for those with connections to both the US and UK, demands a nuanced understanding of the differences in pension structures and tax implications between the two countries. It is essential to recognise key characteristics, plan types, and financial strategies to optimise retirement savings and income.

With the end of the year fast approaching, the importance of US year-end tax planning becomes increasingly evident. By taking a proactive approach to assessing your financial situation, you can safeguard your wealth and minimise tax liabilities.

In what has been a remarkable year for geopolitics, the final few weeks of 2024 have been truly extraordinary. In the past two weeks alone, we have seen the French government voted down, the declaration of martial law in South Korea, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and a confidence vote in Germany.

Our 2024 Impact Report highlights our continued efforts towards helping to build a more sustainable future for all. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating lasting value for our stakeholders, the report provides a comprehensive overview of our sustainability initiatives encompassing environmental stewardship, social responsibility and strategic partnerships.

Producing vast amounts of cheap, clean energy, the sun is critical for global decarbonisation. But solar power also offers something more: investment opportunities in everything from photovoltaics and batteries to the transmission lines and transformers that form the backbone of the world's power systems.

Historically, December is one of the strongest months for stock markets. For example, in recent years the S&P 500 has registered gains in four of the past five Decembers. This is often attributed to the so-called “Santa Claus rally”, which buoys stocks in the weeks leading up to Christmas. What’s sometimes overlooked, however, is that the “rally” starts before December, right after Thanksgiving.