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Asset Allocation Research for UK Advisers

UK Equity Income monthly commentary May 2025

5/6/2025

 
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Find out more about the Elston Smart-Beta UK Dividend Index (ticker: ELSUKI)
​

For latest UK Equity Income index factsheet click here

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Should UK gilts do the twist? Podcast

30/5/2025

 
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In this podcast for FT Adviser, Henry Cobbe explores the idea of an Operation Brit-Twist.

Listen to The Asset Allocator Podcast here

Ten big questions that many investors are asking

30/5/2025

 
A pen and pile of paper, the top sheet has a question mark on it on a yellow background. Ten big questions that many investors are asking
We explore the outlook for regional equities, bonds, currencies, and alternative assets.

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VT Munro Smart-Beta UK: top performing UK equity income fund

27/5/2025

 
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Portfolio Adviser shines a spotlight on the VT Munro Smart-Beta UK fund, delivering top-quartile returns over the past three years.

​Read the full article on Portfolio Adviser

UK growth, inflation and rates update

23/5/2025

 
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Growth
The BoE revised its 2025 GDP forecast upward from 0.75% to 1.0%, reflecting stronger than expected performance in the first quarter. Policymakers emphasised that uncertainty in the British economy remains elevated, particularly as experts wait to assess the fallout from Donald Trump’s trade war.
UK consumer confidence ticked up in May following the rate cut and a new trade deal with the US, which is expected to alleviate some of the pain from US tariffs. After a sharp drop in confidence in April, the rebound from -23 to -20 in the GfK gauge points towards a drop in fears of a recession. The strength of the UK consumer was further displayed with the release of April’s retail sales data, where sales soared by 5.3% y/y vs an expected 4.4%. April was the sunniest month on record in the UK, which experts say provided a notable boost to food and beverage sales. The data offers hope that the UK economy can weather headwinds in the form of tax hikes, rising bills and Trump’s tariff war to accelerate growth and keep Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves spending plans on track.
Inflation
Softer than expected inflation data for the month of February and March, 2.80% and 2.60% yy respectively, compared to 3.0% yy in January allowed the Bank of England to cut rates in May.  Following the rate cut, inflation for the month of April came in higher than expected at 3.5% yy vs estimates of 3.3%. Higher prices were driven largely by steeper energy costs after regulators raised the household price cap. Higher travel costs also contributed.
Rates
On 8th May 2025, the Bank of England voted to cut interest rates by 25 bps to 4.25%. The decision This gave the UK central bank room to shift its focus more towards UK growth. The decision was mixed, with 5 members voting for the quarter point cut and the other 4 split equally between no cuts and 2 cuts.
Following the latest uptick in inflation data, swap markets are now pricing in just one 25 bps rate cut over the next year, compared to two before the data release.


Active vs Passive: A Bright Spot for UK Small Caps

23/5/2025

 
Two Boxers Fighting to symbolise Active vs Passive: A Bright Spot for UK Small Caps
We look at the latest data from the SPIVA® Europe scorecard and key findings.  UK Small Caps are one of the few bright spots.

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Operation Brit-Twist: making gilts more attractive to UK retail investors

22/5/2025

 
fluid gold to represent Operation Brit-Twist: making gilts more attractive to UK retail investors
Elston Consulting, the investment solutions provider supporting UK financial advisers, today announces the publication of its White Paper “Operation Brit-Twist: How the issuance of more Ultra Low Coupon Gilts could attract UK Retail investor demand to help reduce the size and cost of UK Government Debt.  The white paper is available here.

Click read more to read the summary. 

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UK Equity Income: a passion for dividends

19/5/2025

 
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In this article we explore the origins of a systematic UK Equity Income strategy now powered by Elston’s Minerva™.

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Does Trump actually have a plan?

16/5/2025

 
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​Join us for our webinar on 22 May 2025 at 10:30am BST, as Henry Cobbe, CFA interviews Greg Swenson (Republicans Overseas UK) on Trump’s economic agenda.

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Where next for Ukraine?

16/5/2025

 
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​Join us for our webinar on 21 May 2025 at 10:30am BST as Henry Cobbe, CFA interviews Samuel Charap (RAND) on the prospects for peace in Ukraine

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Beyond Safe Haven: Gold's Strategic Role in Modern Portfolios

16/5/2025

 
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Join us for our webinar on 20 May 2025 at 10:30am BST as Henry Cobbe, CFA interviews John Reade (World Gold Council) on the role of gold in modern portfolios.

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Elston supports the National Schools Regatta for 2025

16/5/2025

 
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​Elston is delighted to be supporting the UK's National Schools Regatta once again for 2025.  The event takes place over the spring bank holiday weekend with over 5,000 competitors from over 350 schools and clubs in the UK's premier youth rowing event.  We are sponsoring live stream coverage once again for those who cannot attend in person.  Henry Cobbe and all the team at Elston wish the competing crews the very best of luck.

Register or follow here for more details 
giggabox.eventsair.com

Elston Consulting announced as sponsor of NSR 2025

UK equities are a helpful value-factor proxy

15/5/2025

 
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UK equities are a helpful value-factor proxy.  Value-based investing is a persistent driver of returns over time.  But not all the time.  We explore UK equities’ embedded factor tilt and how it can help diversification.

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Multi-Asset Funds or MPS: the pros and cons

14/5/2025

 
A lunchbox representing Multi-Asset Funds or MPS: the pros and cons
Multi-asset Managed Portfolio Service (MPS) is rising in popularity, but with CGT changes Multi-Asset Funds (MAF) are getting a fresh look. What are the pros and cons

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Understanding UK Sustainability Disclosure Regulations

6/5/2025

 
Understanding UK Sustainability Disclosure Regulations
Join us for our CPD-accredited webinar on 15 May 2025 at 10:30am BST.

In this session, we’ll explore: 
  1. The purpose and key distinctions of SDR 
  2. How SDR impacts financial advisers and portfolio management 
  3. Key challenges and best practices for implementing SDR

UK Gilts latest news April 2025

30/4/2025

 
UK yield curve
Our latest monthly commentary for investing in UK gilts. Includes latest gilts UK news.  Update on latest gilt yields.  Changes in Gilt yield curve. Gilts auction results.  Gilts ETF flows.  For UK financial advisers.

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LATEST INVESTMENT OUTLOOK 2Q25

25/4/2025

 
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In our latest investment outlook for 2q25 outlook, we discuss the impact of America's Trade War as part of Trump's America First policy.
  • America's Trade War: lessons from 2018 and what's been different this time round.
  • A focus on Defence: increased UK/EU defence spending could help kickstart regional economies - and will likely form part of any US trade deal.
  • Zombie inflation: 2% remains a floor, not a ceiling - but sustained easing of energy prices could help.
Please join Natasha Sarkaria from BlackRock and Henry Cobbe and Hoshang Daroga from Elston for this updated Outlook webinar on Thu 1 May 2025 at 1030am.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get all our insights to your inbox (for UK financial advisers only)

UK Equity Income monthly commentary March 2025

11/4/2025

 
Munro peaks representing UK Equity Income monthly commentary
Find out more about the Elston Smart-Beta UK Dividend Index (ticker: ELSUKI)
​

For latest UK Equity Income index factsheet click here

Read More

understanding investment risk - beyond volatility

11/4/2025

 
stormy weather at see to represent investment risk and market volatility
Henry Cobbe explores the meaning of investment risk and urges advisers to think beyond volatility alone.
Read the article in FT Adviser

keep calm and stay invested

10/4/2025

 
keep calm and stay invested slogan poster by Elston
Markets have been on a see-saw as the world digests Trump's tariff policy that risked stalling world trade and triggering a recession.  Yesterday US Treasury Secretary announced a 90 day pause in reciprocal tariffs, possibly triggered by systemic strain in the US Government Bond market. US equities surged +9.5% the largest one-day rally since 2008.  We summarise a tumultuous week in markets. 

Read More
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© COPYRIGHT 2012-25. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 Elston Consulting Limited (Company Registration Number 07125478) is registered in
England & Wales, Registered address:  1 King William Street, London EC4N 7AF
  • WHO WE ARE
    • About
    • Our Journey
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Elston Portfolios >
      • Our Portfolios
      • Adaptive Portfolios
      • Retirement Portfolios
      • Sustainable Portfolios
      • Multi-Asset Income
      • All Weather Portfolio UK
      • Money Market Portfolio
    • Custom Portfolios >
      • Custom Portfolios
    • CGT Solutions >
      • Our CGT Solutions
      • GIA Portfolios
      • Onshore Bonds
      • Direct Gilts
    • Adviser Support >
      • Our Adviser Support
      • CIRP
      • Investment Committee Support
      • Regulatory Support
      • Analytics, Factsheets & Reporting
      • CPD
    • Fund Solutions >
      • Our Funds
      • Custom Funds
    • Index Solutions >
      • Our Indices
      • Sector Equal Weight
      • UK Equity Income
      • Liquid Real Assets
      • Gold and Precious Metals
      • Custom Indices
  • WHO WE HELP
    • Financial Advisers
    • Discretionary Managers
  • Insights
  • Contact