With the groundwork laid for a rapid recovery, equity markets reflected continued optimism in June. But as chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth notes, significant risks remain.

Before today’s announcements, public sector net borrowing was on track to increase by around £310bn this year – so, around 15% of GDP. That marks the country’s largest fiscal response in modern peacetime history, and is nearly double the peak during the Global Financial Crisis, when government borrowing peaked at 8.2% GDP. Today the Chancellor announced tax cuts and additional spending that could tally up to another £30bn.

COVID-19 has delivered another blow to Britain’s retailers, and that will have an impact on the High Street. But the powers of creative destruction always generate fresh opportunities, too. Can the hearts of our towns and cities find a new life and raison d’être?

The situation is a bit foggy right now, so investors are trying to figure out whether economies and companies are generally heading in the right direction. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth rounds up earnings and inflation.

The global economy is reopening for business as the COVID-19 virus recedes, and the groundwork has been laid for a speedy recovery by massive government and central bank stimulus. 

Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading providers of investment management services for individuals, charities and professional advisers, has appointed Peter Hooker as a DFM specialist within Rathbones’ distribution team. 

Peter will report to Philip Turner, head of DFM specialists.

Call it pluck or devil-may-care recklessness, the UK has committed to diving out of the EU completely in 2021, deal or no deal. Chief investment officer Julian Chillingworth takes stock of the situation.