This week has been dominated by the general election, with even usually sensible commentators jumping to predict the market impact of every new announcement. With little to differentiate the three main parties and little reason to listen to the three fringe ones, the next few weeks are going to drag out. Despite repeated assertions that we’re facing the most uncertain election for a generation the market seems relatively relaxed. Volatility has been up slightly but the FTSE continues to power away perhaps confirming how little difference the vote is likely to make.
Elsewhere back in the real world, the strong US Dollar continued to put pressure on both the domestic economy and emerging markets. Low commodity prices have hurt the large primary industrial nations like Russia and Brazil, while an outpouring of capital is dragging on Chinese growth. These headwinds have lead the IMF this week to warn that global growth may remain permanently low. Greece expressed relief as the country managed to repay the €450m it owed to the International Monetary Fund.
As of 6 April, anyone aged 55 and over and in a pension scheme can take their lifetime savings as a cash lump sum – known as Pension Freedom. These new freedoms for retirees had been long awaited by many with predictions that it could lead to a pensioner spending-spree. Nevertheless, critics will be skeptical over the timing of these reforms especially with the pending election only a month away.