No change to monetary policy is expected this week, but investors will be eager for any clue about the Bank of England’s thoughts on inflation and interest rate cuts.

The latest edition of In Conversation has arrived. Our managers explain how they are navigating current challenges and finding opportunities, they also outline fund performance, positioning and what they believe lies ahead.

UK retail sales slumped in December while inflation went in the other direction. Is the UK now in recession, albeit the mildest of the mild?

After the roller coaster that was 2023, the team discuss getting their bearings for the year ahead. Then, speaking of creaking behemoth structures in need of investment, they explain why they’ve been buying general infrastructure funds for the first time ever. Finally, a new portfolio holding is German medtech company Carl Zeiss, which specialises in cutting-edge tools for eye health. Perhaps some of Carl Zeiss’ products may help us all better see what the year ahead might hold…

Housing costs make up a big part of people’s spending, yet they can often obscure what’s going on with inflation.

A gruelling year for investors actually delivered decent returns. But how much of that strong performance is in anticipation of 2024?