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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.

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.

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.

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.

Last week we discussed which markets and sectors are likely to be impacted under Donald Trump’s administration. This week, we take a closer look at how Trump’s win may impact the UK.

Trump inherits a strong economy with high inflation and a budget deficit. Markets expect his policies—deregulation, tax cuts, and tariffs—to benefit small businesses and financials but could harm renewable energy and tech sectors. Active money management is crucial amid geopolitical volatility and waning globalisation, affecting various sectors differently.

Speak to almost any business manager and they will tell you that attempting to predict their business accurately on a 12-month basis is very hard, and over a quarter is nearly impossible.

The recent US election has resulted in a sweeping victory for the Republican Party, prompting many questions from our clients about the potential impact on their investments and financial planning. In this Q&A, we address the most pressing questions our clients have posed, providing clarity and guidance during these uncertain times.

The recent US election has resulted in a sweeping victory for the Republican Party, prompting many questions from our clients about the potential impact on their investments and financial planning. In this Q&A, we address the most pressing questions our clients have posed, providing clarity and guidance during these uncertain times.