Investment briefing
The strong performance of major equity markets since the start of the pandemic has left many investors wondering whether it is a good time to raise cash.
Investment briefing
Katana & Wakizashi
Once again, the price of bitcoin is on the tear, encouraged by the launch of SEC-registered exchange traded funds, led by BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust. That, a cap on interest rate rises (making risk assets more attractive versus plain old cash) , the ubiquitous ‘halving’ event (which cuts the reward for mining Bitcoin transactions in half, artificially reducing new supply at roughly four-year intervals) and rumours of potential Russian sanctions dodging, have propelled the cryptocurrency to new highs.
Investment briefing
Ricochet
Cast your minds back to 2014, when the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico, burdened by a chronic budget deficit, spooked the US municipal bond market by passing legislation to restructure some of its enormous $73bn debt pile. US Municipal Bond ETFs reeled and wider markets were spooked, the country’s debt downgraded to ‘junk’ status.