Last week the Bank of England ("BoE") released data showing unexpected resilience in November’s gross domestic product ("GDP"), which expanded by 0.3%, surpassing the 0.1% forecast and ending a two-month decline. The growth was driven by a rebound in both services and manufacturing, aided by Jaguar Land Rover’s recovery following a cyberattack, despite ongoing structural risks. At the same time, BoE Governor Andrew Bailey defended the importance of economic institutions and open trade, urging resistance to populist attacks and warning that undermining bodies such as the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") weakens their ability to highlight economic risks. Meanwhile, the Office for National Statistics ("ONS") may delay its new labour market survey by six months, potentially until May 2027, due to technical difficulties. Adding to concerns, the Institute for Public Policy Research ("IPPR") highlighted vulnerabilities in the UK economy, noting that supply chain disruptions linked to China could cost £1.5 billion annually for solar projects and jeopardise 90,000 electric vehicle jobs unless the government implements a 'securonomics' framework...

Stocks featured:

Pearson, Schroders and Whitbread

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:

https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/

This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 226344) and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week UK markets rallied as investors flocked to gilts, putting them on track for their best week since October, with benchmark yields falling more than 0.1% to nearly 4.4%. This fixed income resurgence was underpinned by a government pivot away from long-term borrowing and intensifying bets on an April rate cut from the Bank of England (“BoE”). Economic data supported the dovish outlook as the labour market showed signs of significant strain; potential redundancies surged to over 33,000 in late 2025, the highest level in nearly three years, prompting strategists to forecast that deteriorating macro conditions will force policymakers to ease rates sooner than previously expected...

Stocks featured:

Associated British Foods, BAE Systems and Marks & Spencer

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:

https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/

This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 226344) and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

UK markets endured a cautious week as fresh data reinforced concerns about a softening economic backdrop and limited policy headroom. Surveys of economists pointed to a deteriorating labour market outlook, with unemployment expected to rise toward 5–5.5% by the end of 2026 amid weak growth and slowing wage momentum. Business sentiment also weakened, with a British Chambers of Commerce survey showing fewer firms expecting turnover growth and rising concern around tax and inflation pressures. Consumer behaviour remained subdued with KPMG and Barclaycard data highlighting reluctance to spend heading into 2026, with the first annual decline in card spending in five years. Manufacturing data offered some relief, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (“PMI”) revised slightly lower but still at a 15-month-high, though growth remained skewed toward larger firms and exports continued to contract...

Stocks featured:

Endeavour Mining, Melrose Industries and Rolls-Royce Holdings

To find out more about the investment management services offered by Walker Crips, please visit our website:

https://www.walkercrips.co.uk/

This podcast is intended to be Walker Crips Investment Management’s own commentary on markets. It is not investment research and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy, sell or trade in any of the investments, sectors or asset classes mentioned. The value of any investment and the income arising from it is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise, so that you may not get back the amount you originally invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Movements in exchange rates can have an adverse effect on the value, price or income of any non-sterling denominated investment. Nothing in this podcast constitutes advice to undertake a transaction, and if you require professional advice you should contact your financial adviser or your usual contact at Walker Crips. Walker Crips Investment Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 226344) and is a member of the London Stock Exchange.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.