Expat Money Matters

In this week’s Weekly Market Update, we look at the latest economic, tax and policy developments with potential relevance for internationally mobile individuals and families. US employment growth slowed sharply in September, while inflation remained above the Federal Reserve’s target. In Spain, an early general election has now been formally called for 29 November following the rejection of two ho...

In this Weekly Market Update, we look at the latest trade developments between the US, China and Canada, and what changing trade rules can mean for internationally diversified investments. We also cover Cyprus’s proposed state pension reform, new standard leases for long-term rentals in France, and the UK borrowing figures ahead of October’s Budget. Plus, we explain why some people may receive a r...

This week’s update examines the latest interest-rate decisions in the United States, United Kingdom and eurozone, alongside continued pressure from high government bond yields. We also cover higher-than-expected UK government borrowing, proposed measures affecting tourist apartments and property tax in València and Alicante, new pension support and proposed income-tax reductions in Portugal, and t...

This week’s update examines the European Central Bank’s latest interest-rate increase and what changing rates could mean for borrowing, savings, currencies and cross-border finances. We also cover renewed US inflation pressures ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting, Canada’s counter-tariffs and the latest US trade restrictions, Belgium’s non-resident tax-return deadline, and the contrasting signals...

The US labour market regained momentum in August, but forthcoming inflation data could still shape the Federal Reserve’s next decision. Meanwhile, Canada kept interest rates unchanged, extended fuel-tax relief and introduced new counter-tariffs on US goods. This episode also examines changes to French pension rules, the approaching European Central Bank decision, Portugal’s BUPi land-registration...

In this week's Expat Money Matters – Weekly Market Update, we look at the Federal Reserve's more hawkish message from Jackson Hole and what changing US interest-rate expectations could mean for the dollar, bonds and cross-border income. We also cover the Bank of Canada's upcoming rate decision and escalating US–Canada trade tensions, Belgium's newly passed capital gains tax deadline, and renewed d...

In this episode of Expat Money Matters: The Canada–US trade dispute has intensified. Canada has confirmed counter-tariffs on approximately C$27.6 billion of US imports, while the threat of further tariffs on Canadian vehicles creates additional uncertainty for businesses, consumers and the Canadian dollar. Meanwhile, US economic growth remained at 1.5% during the second quarter, but inflation stay...

In this episode of Expat Money Matters, we examine the latest economic signals from the UK, US and Canada, including changing interest-rate expectations, Canada’s rising inflation and the approaching US tariff deadline. We also look at continued shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and revisit three important cross-border planning deadlines: Belgium’s capital gains tax opt-out, Malta’s tran...

In this Weekly Market Update, we examine the weaker-than-expected US employment report and its effect on interest-rate expectations, Canada’s contrasting labour-market performance, slowing UK house-price growth and continued foreign demand for Spanish property, particularly in the Balearic Islands. We also revisit the UK Inheritance Tax changes affecting most unused pension funds and pension death...

The Bank of England and US Federal Reserve have both kept interest rates unchanged, but voting splits show policymakers are increasingly divided over inflation risks. In the UK, Chancellor John Healey has confirmed that the government’s first Budget will take place on 28 October, giving expatriates with UK pensions, investments or property a clearer timetable to watch. We also look at the latest B...

Britain has a new Prime Minister, but many of the tax changes being discussed remain speculation rather than confirmed policy. In this Weekly Market Update, we separate political headlines from financial reality and examine the developments most relevant to expatriates, retirees and internationally mobile families. Topics include the UK’s new government and the approaching Inheritance Tax changes...

In this week’s Expat Money Matters' Weekly Market Update, we examine Andy Burnham’s arrival in Downing Street and the appointment of John Healey as Chancellor. We also consider how disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could affect energy prices and inflation, what central-bank decisions and currency movements mean for expatriate income, and the latest tax and residence deadlines in Spain, the Ca...

In this episode, we examine the developments shaping cross-border wealth this week, including Andy Burnham’s expected move into Downing Street, gilt yields rising above 5%, renewed disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting pressure on oil prices. We also look at sterling, a Spanish court ruling that may benefit some non-EU property owners, the approaching registration deadline for the C...

In this episode of the Weekly Market Update, we look beyond the summer distractions and examine the structural changes quietly reshaping the cross-border financial landscape. We cover the potential UK tax direction under the expected political transition, including Capital Gains Tax and property tax considerations, as well as the impact of geopolitical developments around the Strait of Hormuz on i...

In this episode of the Weekly Market Update , we look at how the global financial landscape has shifted again over the past seven days. Topics include renewed pressure on the Hormuz ceasefire, the market impact of Brent crude stabilising near $70 per barrel, Andy Burnham’s emerging economic vision in the UK, potential changes to Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax, and the growing concentration...

In this Weekly Market Update, we review a fast-moving week for politics, markets, and cross-border wealth planning. The episode covers the orderly UK leadership transition following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, the market impact of easing geopolitical tensions and lower energy prices, and the continued volatility following the historic SpaceX IPO. We also look at several important planning issu...

In this Weekly Market Update, we review a week of market recovery following the sell-off on Friday 5 June, with investors responding to hopes of a US-Iran agreement, lower oil prices and the largest IPO in history. We explore why the SpaceX listing raises broader questions about concentration risk in passive investment portfolios, particularly for expatriates whose retirement savings may be heavil...

In this week’s update, we examine both sides of the debate around the recent equity market rally. Strong fundamentals continue to support many of the market’s leading companies, but rich valuations, concentrated technology exposure, rising call option activity and bubble-like conditions in parts of the semiconductor sector are creating potential warning signs. We also look at the liquidity pressur...

In this Weekly Market Updateupdate, we examine how several market and planning risks have moved from theory into real-world impact. The AI rally has entered a new phase, driven not just by hype, but by the physical infrastructure race behind data centres, GPUs, CPUs and Agentic AI. At the same time, renewed geopolitical tension has pushed Brent Crude above 94 dollars a barrel, adding fresh inflati...

In this Weekly Market Update, we follow up on the key themes from last week: strong earnings momentum, narrow market leadership, retail investor's fear of missing out, and geopolitical risk in the Middle East. Recent UK data points to a softer economic backdrop, with cooling consumer activity, a weaker labour market, and ongoing questions about how much room the Bank of England has to cut interest...

In this weekly market update, we look at the forces currently pulling investors in different directions. Strong earnings upgrades have helped push some equity markets back towards all-time highs, with the US and technology sectors leading the way. However, market breadth remains narrow, and retail investor momentum may leave equities more vulnerable to a short-term shake-out. The update also explo...

In this Weekly Market Update, we examine the latest geopolitical developments in the Middle East and their impact on global markets. Investors continue to monitor negotiations involving Iran, uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, and the broader implications for energy markets and global trade. Despite ongoing tensions and weaker expectations for a near-term reopening of Hormuz, global equity m...

In this week’s market update, we explore how escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are shaping global financial markets. Oil prices surged amid disruption risks around the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to higher volatility across equities and bond markets. European and US indices pulled back following recent gains, despite a strong earnings season in the United States, where the maj...

The global economy is somewhere between the flash and the bang. Nine weeks into the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the cushioning effects of strategic reserves and at-sea cargo are beginning to wear thin, while commodity analysts at the FT's Global Summit warn that oil at one hundred and fifty dollars per barrel cannot be ruled out. In this weekly market update we cover the practical implication...

In this Weekly Market Update, we navigate the volatile intersection of geopolitics and global finance as the US-Iran conflict enters its eighth week. Key themes covered in this episode: The Hormuz Standoff: Why the "complete reopening" of the Strait lasted less than 48 hours and the reality of the US naval blockade. FOMOP vs. Reality: Analysing the "Fear of Missing Out on Peace" and how diplomatic...