Worldwide Financial Planning

The data coming through on Trump’s first year can easily be used to create optimism that even his harshest critics wouldn’t observe, which in turn may start to play into reality. Even if you don’t like him, nobody wants to be left on the sidelines in a soaring market.

UK house prices are rising at their fastest since January, according to Halifax, but the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors suggests they are flat, with sales falling.

So what are bitcoins? Firstly, they are a payment system … for paying for things. Nothing smart about that, but one of their goals is to be sure they are decentralized ie they don’t have to use a central bank.

We remain sceptical overall on the path of future rates and think a lower for longer mindset still persists at the Bank of England.

Markets drew many of the same conclusions, and much of the pre-hike excitement evaporated after the details of the decision were made public.

China’s economy is second only to the US and its demand and supply for western products is paramount to markets. Whether it’s Apple iPhones, the base use of minerals or steel, its demand drives prices.

This week has been relatively quiet - and by relatively we mean that there hasn't been a threat of nuclear war, terrorist attack or national tragedy, such is the world that we live in.