Saudi Arabia: Vision 2030

12 September 2017 With the Aramco IPO widely anticipated, it is important to be familiar with the Saudia economic strategy. Likewise, with oil prices set to remain low, understanding the vision for reducing the nation's dependence on this commodity is crucial to future properity, as well as maintaining the currency peg. saudivision2030

Investment Strategy: Next 6 Months are Key for Trump Presidency

3 September 2017 Welcome to the launch of what will be a regular strategy review.  Macro-themes have dominated market moves, especially following the Brexit referendum and the US and French elections.  With the Trump Presidency entering a potentially decisive six months, I believe this will remain true during the year ahead. I am a believer [...]

UK: Consumer Weakness Will Persist For Years, Not a Few Quarters

1 August 2017 The recent release of second quarter GDP data had something for everyone.  For the post-Brexit sceptics, the meagre 0.3% gain (following a similarly paltry advance in Q1) confirmed the economic recovery was faltering. Recently, weak consumer spending has been a major headwind, resulting from modest income growth and higher prices following sterling’s [...]

President Trump: Lessons from Pittsburgh!

3 July 2017 In announcing his recent decision that America would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, President Trump rationalised this choice indicating he represented the citizens of Pittsburgh, not those of Paris.  His remarks, however, suggest the President perceives Pittsburgh as a heavily polluting city in industrial decline, requiring the government’s protection from the [...]