December 2014 Dear Client,
Nothing stays the same
Rather like Noah who built his Ark before the rains came, we have now completed the rebalancing of your portfolio... which will hopefully provide some degree of protection against potentially damaging storms (of an economic nature) during the coming Winter months. Oil Price Falls The relentless fall in the price of oil is having a serious impact on the many oil producing countries whose economies rely heavily upon a price in excess of one hundred dollars per barrel (at the time of writing, oil is currently trading at approximately $70 per barrel). Russia is suffering more than most with the Ruble rapidly losing value as the oligarchs move their billions to the comparatively safer havens of dollars or sterling. Whilst lower oil prices mean lower costs (from which we should all theoretically benefit) they also bring yet more difficulties to those parts of the world already grappling with problems of sovereignty and religion.  Election Promises Closer to home, the forthcoming election brings more promises of infrastructure spending, as the politicians seek our favour. Of course, most will be spent on fixing the problems which we already have with our roads, rail network and utility companies... rather than creating a new congestion-free dawn! Did you know? Finally, a sobering statistic from our friends across the Atlantic. China now manufactures more cars than Japan and Germany put together... and almost as many as the combined forces of India, Brazil, Russia, France, Mexico and the US itself. Christmas Wishes As tradition has it, we will not be sending Christmas cards out this year and will instead be making a donation to our favoured charity, Children in Crisis. We would like to thank you for your support throughout an eventful year and wish you and your loved ones a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Contact us using Skype  Please remember, we encourage you to pick-up the phone (or Skype us) if you would like to discuss any matters further. |
