Ashley Kissick Financial Advisers Ltd

Ashley Kissick Financial Advisers Ltd Providing bespoke advice for your investment, retirement and protection needs.

With a professional approach and expertise in inheritance tax planning, business and corporate needs, and devising portfolios for high net worth clients.

27/06/2026

Global equity markets experienced significant turbulence this week, led by a sharp correction in the technology sector. The Nasdaq Composite fell 4.6%, marking its worst weekly performance in over a year and recording five consecutive daily declines.

The broader S&P 500 mirrored this trend with five straight days of losses, wiping out over $1 trillion in market capitalisation. This selloff was primarily driven by a cooling in the artificial intelligence trade and a severe global memory chip shortage impacting major tech hardware manufacturers.

Interestingly, UK equities demonstrated notable resilience amid the global tech rout. The FTSE 100 outperformed its international peers, gaining 1.4% over the week, highlighting the defensive characteristics of the UK blue-chip index during periods of growth-stock volatility.

At Ashley Kissick Financial Advisers, we ensure client portfolios are appropriately diversified to navigate sector-specific volatility and capture opportunities across global markets.

26/06/2026

The UK food and drink sector is facing significant international headwinds. According to the latest Food & Drink Federation data, export volumes declined by 8.9% in Q1 2026, marking the lowest level in a decade outside the pandemic.

A primary driver is the impact of US tariffs imposed in April 2025, which contributed to a 28% drop in exports to the United States. Consequently, the UK's food and drink export surplus with the US has fallen by 69%, from £359m to £110m—its lowest level since Brexit. Meanwhile, the cost of importing ingredients remains nearly 39% higher than in January 2020, adding persistent pressure to domestic production costs.

At Ashley Kissick Financial Advisers, we monitor these macroeconomic shifts to understand their impact on UK manufacturing and broader market resilience.

25/06/2026

The UK retail sector is facing significant headwinds, with the latest CBI survey revealing the deepest downturn in sales since records began in 1983. The three-month average sales balance dropped to -56 in June, driven by depressed consumer sentiment and rising cost pressures.

The monthly retail sales balance fell to -54 in June from -46 in May, with sales far below seasonal norms. A separate CBI survey also showed manufacturing orders deteriorating at the fastest rate since September 2020.

This data highlights the ongoing challenges within the broader UK economy, as businesses navigate a complex environment of weak demand and elevated costs.

24/06/2026

Following the resignation of Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister on 22 June, financial markets have demonstrated notable resilience.

The FTSE 100 remained broadly flat, reflecting its international revenue base which insulates it from domestic political noise. The more domestically focused FTSE 250 saw a modest decline of around 0.6%. Sterling weakened slightly to $1.32 against the dollar, though much of this adjustment had already been priced in over recent months as leadership speculation intensified.

Crucially, UK 10-year gilt yields held steady at approximately 4.85%, signalling that bond markets are not alarmed by the transition. Capital Economics noted the calm reaction is consistent with the view that the resignation was widely expected.

05/06/2026

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight a notable trend in the UK economy: 66% of businesses with 10 or more employees reported an increase in staffing costs during May 2026. Consequently, 44% of these businesses anticipate adapting to these higher costs by increasing the prices of their goods and services. This development underscores the ongoing inflationary pressures within the economy. For households, this could mean further adjustments to budgets as the cost of everyday items potentially rises.

29/05/2026

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has indicated the central bank is prepared to tolerate inflation temporarily above its 2% target to provide "some support for the real economy" amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Speaking in Iceland today, Bailey noted that the jump in energy costs has pushed inflation higher but is also expected to slow the economy. He stated that by ruling out the rate cuts that were expected before the conflict began, the Bank has "already tightened policy considerably" and that this is already affecting the economy.

However, he warned this tolerance would weaken if signs of "second-round effects" — such as persistent wage increases — begin to emerge. The comments suggest a rate hike is unlikely at the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

28/05/2026

The number of young people in the UK not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has surpassed one million for the first time since 2013, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics.

An independent government review published today reveals that 13.5% of all 16 to 24-year-olds are now detached from the labour market. Most concerning is the rise in economic inactivity, with 613,000 young people not actively looking for work — the highest figure since records began in 2001.

The report estimates this crisis is costing the UK economy £125 billion annually in lost output and rising fiscal risk. Furthermore, six in ten young people who are currently NEET have never held a job, raising concerns about long-term economic scarring and future productivity challenges for the UK workforce.

27/05/2026

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a 13% increase in the energy price cap, effective from 1 July 2026. The typical household dual-fuel bill will rise by £221 to £1,862 per year.

This increase is primarily driven by higher wholesale gas prices, which have climbed sharply due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The impact will be felt unevenly across energy types. The gas unit rate is set to rise by nearly 28%, while the electricity unit rate will increase by just under 6%. Standing charges remain largely unchanged.

While prices remain below the peak of the 2022 energy crisis, analysts at Cornwall Insight forecast a further 2% rise in October as temperatures fall and energy usage increases.

24/05/2026

The UK economy has unexpectedly fallen into contraction territory for the first time in over a year, driven by a sharp decline in the dominant services sector.

According to the latest S&P Global Flash PMI data, the UK Composite Output Index fell sharply to 48.5 in May, down from 52.6 in April. Any reading below 50 indicates a contraction in business activity. The Services PMI plunged to 47.9, marking a 64-month low and the steepest slowdown since early 2021.

Economists note that the UK is facing a "perfect storm" as rising political uncertainty compounds the growing impact of the Middle East conflict. Businesses are reporting falling output, surging inflation, supply shortages, and job cuts.

This data suggests the burst of growth seen earlier this year has evaporated, highlighting the ongoing challenges for the UK economy.

22/05/2026

The UK's Consumer Prices Index (CPI) eased to 2.8% in April 2026, a notable decrease from 3.3% in March. This latest data from the Office for National Statistics indicates a continued moderation in the rate at which prices are rising across the economy. For many, this slowdown in inflation offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the pressure on household budgets from rising costs may be starting to lessen. While still above the Bank of England's 2% target, this movement is a positive development in the broader economic landscape. Understanding these shifts in inflation is crucial, as it impacts everything from savings to everyday spending power.

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