Worldwide Financial Planning

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.

We’ve had three decades of mental growth in China, and, as the second largest economy in the world, its health is vital, both in terms of its manufacturing and its consumption of western products.

The Governor is in the awkward situation of having rising inflation - hitting a high of three per cent - and a precariously poised economy.