There was a time, before the Global Financial Crisis, when the job of the central banker was relatively straightforward. The main objective was simply to control inflation and, as long as that sat around the 2% to 4% level, by and large, everyone was happy. Interest rates around 4% were tolerable. Indeed, by the time the Federal Reserve officially adopted…
It’s always too easy to put off the idea of investing and as markets head lower in light of growing global economic uncertainty, 2022 is certainly proving no exception. However, history shows us that despite the inevitable short-term volatility, over a ten, fifteen or twenty-year time horizon, investing in the financial markets will invariably offer a more profitable outcome, rather…
With 2022 now well underway it seems clear there will be no escape from inflation or higher borrowing costs when it comes to the two major challenges financial markets will be faced with this year. After a decade and a half of ultra-lax monetary policies, supply chain disruption as we emerge from the ravages of the COVID pandemic and a…
At the start of 2019, we confidently recommended that our clients stay invested in equity markets. Despite the fact that we had seen over 17% wiped out of the S&P 500 in December 2018 and people were beginning to ask if this was the end of the Bull run, we continued to advise holding your nerve and stepping back to…
After a decade of TV interviews, finally our Director of Investment, Alastair McCaig is interviewed about himself, his family and life at Fern Wealth. Alastair is a regular contributor to CNN Money Switzerland – but, this time he reveals why he loves Mondays at Fern Wealth and how finance was his calling from the very beginning. If you would like…
Are you time poor and cash rich? Some might think this is a great problem to have, but in reality, it can become a burden. Many expats here in Switzerland are so busy building their careers, enjoying the wonders of family life in Switzerland that they barely notice their savings pot bulging at the sides. If you’re an expat working…
I don’t like banks. At the best of times they’re bureaucratic, inflexible and have no interest in helping me, the customer. But during the holiday season I like them less. Mostly, because I hate paying outrageous charges when I’m using my credit cards abroad, or transferring money globally. If you travel a lot, for business, to see family overseas and…
Synopsis of the week As President Trump has struggled to get his plans for healthcare approved, markets have begun to question his ability to deliver on infrastructure spending too. A week closer to the French elections and Europe still has worries about far-right parties gaining a larger say in future policies. The UK and EU gear up for Theresa May’s…
Synopsis of the week Having been almost 100% factored in the US Fed increased the base rate from 0.75% to 1% triggering a jump in equity markets. Europe looks on in disbelief as internal squabbles between Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and British Prime Minister Theresa May over shadow the anticipated triggering of Article 50. The Bank of England hold…
Synopsis of the week Last week saw equity markets drift lower as investors moved into a risk-off mentality. Mario Draghi, Head of the European Central Bank has once again spoken in enthusiastic terms about the markets and gone some way to quashing fears that the ECB are ready to change their approach to the current quantitative easing scheme. Wednesday’s US…
