Expat Money Matters

This week on Expat Money Matters, we unpack the financial fallout from the latest Middle East escalation and what it means for your money. With the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, energy markets have reacted sharply, Brent crude has surpassed $120 per barrel, and inflationary pressure is rippling across the global economy. We cover what this means for central bank policy in the US and UK, why...

This Weekly Market Update episode breaks down a volatile week for global markets (30 March – 7 April 2026). We discuss the surge in Brent crude and European natural gas prices, which are reshaping inflation expectations and household costs for expats in Europe. We also analyse the "risk-off" sentiment that has seen US and European equities drop by 8-10%, while examining the silver lining for retir...

As the conflict in the Middle East enters its fifth week, markets continue to react, but not always in the way you might expect. In this Weekly Market Update, we take a clear, measured look at the economic implications so far. From the surge in Brent crude prices to the surprising pullback in gold, and the relatively orderly decline in global equities, there are signals worth paying attention to....

In this Weekly Market Update, we break down the rapid pivot in the Middle East conflict and what it means for your portfolio. After a weekend of high-stakes ultimatums, a fragile ceasefire appears to be holding, sparking a turnaround in global equities. However, we look past the immediate "noise" to examine the lasting economic scars: constrained refining capacity, rising heating and electricity c...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the complex intersection of the Iran conflict and global finance. While the All-Countries World Index remains down 6% from its February highs, the "initial shock" phase of the war has transitioned into a period of cautious, volatile observation. We discuss: The US Advantage: Why being a net energy exporter has insulated US equities and bolstered the Dollar...

This week on Expat Money Matters, we dive into the macroeconomic shifts directly impacting internationally mobile individuals and cross-border investors. With recent escalations in the Middle East driving up oil and gas prices, the anticipated path to lower interest rates has grown highly uncertain. We discuss why markets now expect both the Federal Reserve and the Bank of England to hold rates st...

This week's "Weekly Market Update" opens with a sobering acknowledgment of the current crisis in the Gulf states, keeping our clients, friends, and family in the region in our thoughts. Turning to the financial impact, we break down the market's initial 1-2% dip and the reassuring intra-day recovery that saw the S&P 500 erase nearly all its losses by Monday's close. We explore the classic "fli...

In this week's "Weekly Market Update," we break down a busy week of market-moving news, starting with the United States Supreme Court's 6-3 decision striking down President Trump's emergency tariff program. Despite the ruling, trade uncertainty remains as the administration quickly pivoted to a new 10% global import surcharge. We also explore the recent AI-driven software selloff, which appears to...

In this week's Weekly Market Update, we analyse a turbulent week of headlines that saw significant volatility in individual stocks despite relatively modest movement at the index level. We dive deep into the primary catalyst of the week: the launch of a new AI tool claiming to automate a substantial amount of the work traditionally performed by wealth managers and financial planners. This developm...

This episode of the "Weekly Market Update" explores the sharp volatility currently rocking the software and data sectors. We unpack how a new legal analysis plug-in for Anthropic’s Claude chatbot has shifted investor sentiment from AI optimism to survival-mode pessimism, challenging the valuations of even highly profitable companies. Beyond the tech sector, we look at the resounding victory for Pr...

In this week's Weekly Market Update, we break down a turbulent week of headlines that has led to significant volatility in single assets despite limited movement at the index level. We dive deep into the recent crash in gold and silver prices, driven by the flight of a Chinese metals trader and the unraveling of a "circular trading" ring—a scandal estimated to cost billions of yuan that echoes Jam...

In this episode of "Expat Money Matters," host Georgina Eldridge is joined by Steve Langford from Chase Buchanan to tackle the financial realities of moving to and living in Spain. They dive deep into the specific tax obligations that catch many expats off guard, starting with the nuances of regional Wealth Tax and the Solidarity Tax. Steve demystifies the infamous Modelo 720—a mandatory declarati...

In this episode of Expert Money Matters, host Georgina Eldridge sits down with Chris Zachariou, a Private Wealth Manager for Chase Buchanan in Cyprus. Together, they explore the financial reality of life on the 'Island of Love' and how to navigate its unique tax landscape. Tune in to discover: The 5% Pension Perk: How foreign pension income can be taxed at a flat rate of just 5%. The 60-Day Rule:...

In this episode of Expert Money Matters, host Georgina Eldridge sits down with Nicole Sandler, a Private Wealth Manager and cross-border specialist at Chase Buchanan in Javea, Spain. Together, they break down exactly why your UK financial planning won't work once you become a Spanish resident. Tune in to discover: The Brexit Effect: Why your trusted UK financial advisor can no longer legally help...

In this episode of Expert Money Matters, host Georgina Eldridge is joined by Lee Eldridge, the Group CEO of Chase Buchanan. Together, they strip back the glossy brochure view of Portugal to reveal the financial nuts and bolts of becoming a resident. Tune in to discover: The ISA Trap: Why your tax-free UK savings account will likely hit you with a 28% tax bill in Portugal. The 85/15 Rule: How the "...

In this episode of Expert Money Matters, host Georgina Eldridge sits down with Kevin Cassar, a wealth manager from the Chase Buchanan team in Malta. Together, they unpack why Malta's unique "remittance basis" of taxation is a game-changer for expats—but only if you understand how to use it. Tune in to discover: The "Remittance Basis" Advantage: Why you only pay tax on income you actually bring int...