Much media and investors attention focusses upon equity markets particularly when they slump as happened when the COVID 19 pandemic went global. The fall in the FTSE 100 became front page news, or whatever the on-line equivalent is these days!

After the global stockmarket rally in April, May has been more settled (so far) although it still feels as if the investment world is in limbo, fighting a two-way pull. Glass half-full – things will get better and equities are forward-looking investments.

Here you will find a copy of our useful 2020/21 tax guide. This guide details rates applicable to those resident in England. Some rates for Scottish residents are different and further guidance and advice should be sought.

As the UK and much of the wider world edges past peak infection, we are constantly reminded that we are not out of the woods yet. As we noted last week, the same can be said for markets, despite the US recording its largest monthly gain since 1987 in April.

As the end of April looms, stock markets globally are a good deal calmer than they were in mid-March. Indeed, the US market, so often still the market from which others take their lead, has risen by nearly 30% from it’s very recent low albeit still 15% below its high.

“We will do whatever it takes.”

The words of Mario Draghi, the then President of the ECB on 26th July 2012, and now Rishi Sunak who has introduced a fiscal package of an eye-watering size and scope. Read our Investor Update 20th April 2020 here.