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Last week was active despite the pre-Christmas feel to markets. Government bond markets showed big daily gyrations whilst credit spreads continued to grind tighter. But it was also busy on the communications front – with Ewan McAlpine leading the monthly fixed income Five Point Podcast and Asset TV hosting our Investment Outlook for 2024, which went out last Thursday.

November was a strong month for fixed income despite weakness in the last few days. US treasuries led the way, with 10-year yields falling 60bps, ending the month at 4.3%.

Jeremy Hunt pulled a rabbit out of a hat last week. Despite saying, just a few months ago, that tax cuts were off the agenda, he managed to find fiscal room for two significant moves.

Richard Platt was born around 1670 in Warrington. He was my great (a few times) grandfather. Through looking at county records I have found out that he was a spade maker.

Recession is an emotive word in the investment industry. Like the bogeyman, an imaginary monster used to frighten children, the word ‘recession’ is used to frighten investors.

Time goes both slowly and quickly. Some days can seem to take an age to pass by, but the years fly by. 

I have missed out on the male grooming boom. For me, a quick trip to my local barber, now and again, suffices. It would appear, however, that men are becoming more conscious of their appearance, with spending on male beauty products up over 70% in a year. Nail care is through the roof with expenditure more than doubling; facial serum (no idea) is up 50%, fake tan by 40% and skincare by 20%.

Events in Israel and Gaza continued to dominated news flow last week. We live in an information age where horrors are immediately transmitted around the world. But at the same time the manipulation of what we see becomes more sophisticated – so we become unsure of reality.