For years loose monetary policy meant companies could spend cash on essentially what they liked. But the return of higher interest rates has changed that, creating an environment in which income stocks shine, says Newton global income portfolio manager Jon Bell.

The Budget was never likely to bring good news, with the incoming government warning ominously of ‘black holes’. A range of likely changes were trailed, including a potential rise in capital gains tax, inheritance tax changes and changes around the pension rules. While some of the more drastic measures failed to materialise, including unused pensions in inheritance tax will have profound effects on retirement advice.

In this week's Market Watch, Shamik delves into the likelihood of a recession, but his primary focus is on the market's optimism regarding a soft landing and recession avoidance. Shamik highlights four key reasons for this perspective. Discover these four factors and their global implications. 

Three of Newton’s income portfolio managers share their outlooks on equity income, dividends, and value investing. Are we poised for a change in equity market leadership?

In this week's Market Watch, Shamik Dhar gives a taster of things to come over the next few weeks, exploring the potential of a soft landing and his views on the outcome for interest rates.

Newton portfolio manager Jon Bell assesses the potential fate of income stocks in an investment landscape no longer characterised by ‘free money’.

Newton’s Jim Lydotes thinks shareholders have been overlooked by certain companies in recent years, but he says some sectors are leading the way in terms of capital discipline, enabling them to pay dividends.

Newton head of mixed assets investment Paul Flood assesses some of the investment opportunities and themes stemming from this year’s global elections.

It is an important week for the UK with both inflation rates and the Bank of England policy decision coming out on Thursday. In this week’s Market Watch Shamik covers gilt yields, interest rate levels, mortgage rates and the possible repercussions these may have on the economy.

Discover how natural income can support your clients' retirement plans, helping them keep more pounds in their pockets with ease. This article was originally published in IFA Magazine and authored by Sue Whitbread.

Walter Scott client investment manager Murdo MacLean outlines how disruption is part and parcel of investing. Not every theme is investable today, however he sees attractive opportunities in companies with long-term horizons that can weather, and indeed benefit from, disruptive forces.

Richard Parkin, Head of UK Retirement at BNY Investments, explains how a structured Natural Income strategy, like BNY’s Multi-Asset Income Fund, provides a modern, reliable solution for retirement income that supports advisers in delivering sustainable, predictable outcomes amid changing client needs and regulatory expectations. This article was originally published in IFA Magazine and authored by Sue Whitbread.

Higher interest rates are here to stay but that is not necessarily a bad thing, according to BNY Mellon Investment Management chief economist Shamik Dhar. In fact, investors should embrace resulting volatility as it is likely to create asset allocation opportunities, he says.

This year has been characterized by policy uncertainty and fears about the potential impact of tariffs on inflation. While many expected the consumer would crack amid weaker sentiment, it hasn’t happened yet. Retail sales remain resilient, supported by a job market that remains good enough to support spending.

Following the fastest, most aggressive rate hikes seen in a generation, Real Return manager Andy Warwick believes we’re in for a decade of price instability, heightened geopolitical risks and volatility. But investment opportunities remain.

Multi-asset is arguably the least homogeneous investment fund class. The last decade or so has seen an explosion of strategies, ranging from the “no frills” to the downright exotic. With such an assortment of options on offer, we’ve put together a seven-point checklist to help advisers sort the good, the bad and the ordinary.

After years of outperformance, the U.S. underperformed other regions during the first quarter. While the debate over whether U.S. exceptionalism can persist continues, the U.S. has resumed its leadership since mid-April - led by the technology sector.

New developments in artificial intelligence (AI) could herald a ‘third epoch’ of technological development, transforming lives and creating myriad new investment opportunities, according to Siuchoon Koay, research analyst in the Newton Investment Management equity research team.