Rishi Sunak’s U-Turn on Net Zero is politically expedient, but raises serious long-term questions about the investibility of the UK economy and its place in the world, but… hey, it might just win them some votes (just don’t let your kids know!)
Lots of conflicting signals in markets, but what does it all mean? It largely boils down to inflation – to understand it we have to think beyond conventional economics and address the causes and reality, rather than punishing the economy!
Markets have been far more positive than expected in 2023 – thus far. There is still much uncertainty out there, but what is the market missing? I have two particular under-played threats to watch – corporate debt and social unrest.
The widening gulf in the outlook for the US and UK economies is stark. UK housing and the mortgage markets are a rising threat – but maybe we are looking at the all the wrong things as the Climate Crisis (oh, yes, remember that) comes back into focus.
The immediate debt ceiling crisis has passed, but it’s not the end of the rolling uncertainty that characterises current markets. The pressures and tensions fuelling political division and driving maket uncertainty are set to increase rather than moderate.
Markets feel directionless, demotivated and listless as we wait for the next impetus to emerge – problem is, it might be a shocker.
The UK announced a new energy strategy – but its nonsense. It’s not a transition plan, but a ploy to placate the courts. We need better if the UK is take advantage of the opportunity Climate Change and Renewable Energy represents.
The UK’s Met Office says it was warmest year on record – what does that mean in terms of climate change opportunities in the long-run, and how the geopolitical threat mellows now that General Winter has abandoned Putin?
It was a disastrous weekend for UK energy strategy as the biting cold and lack of wind demonstrated the fallacy of wind as “the” renewable solution. Energy security requires predictable power. Meanwhile, Central Bank mull rate hikes and implications for dollar strength.
West Cumbria Mining has upset the Green Lobby, but it’s a triumph of pragmatism over virtue signalling. We should be more concerned at the implications of US Fund Vanguard pulling out of an asset management alliance focused on slashing emissions. However, the reality is the Global Economy is poised for growth driven by climate change mitigation and renewable energy!
