Anthony Willis

Welcome to the start of December and the inevitable opening of chocolate advent calendars (although my pointing out of the price/weight ratio of chocolate in a calendar versus a simple bar of chocolate has once again gone ignored).

It has been a busy week in the UK, with the Autumn Statement dominating the headlines, while Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey continued to reiterate his “higher for longer” messaging on interest rates.

This week has seen financial markets driven higher by positive news on inflation from both the US and the UK, with CPI easing by more than expected on both sides of the pond.

This week has seen markets a little more subdued after the strong rally across equities and bonds last week.

It’s been a very busy week in financial markets with three of the major central banks meeting, along with plenty of economic data, as a new month begins and we can say ‘good riddance’ to October.

Bond markets have been battered once again as investors try and find a price level that balances the prospects for rates staying higher for longer.

The past fortnight has seen news headlines dominated by geopolitical concerns following the attack on Israel by Hamas and subsequent retaliation by Israel.

It has been another week of volatile markets, more so in bonds than equities however, with government bond yields shifting higher once again as investors anticipate a “soft landing”.

As September draws to a close, we have the opportunity to look forward to the final quarter of the year.