Canaccord Coffee Break

Oil prices have been volatile recently, surging from around US$60 to US$100 a barrel, yet markets have remained surprisingly calm. Unlike past energy shocks, this move has so far looked contained rather than disorderly - even with the conflict in the Middle East unresolved. What’s different this time and why should investors be paying attention? This week, Jane Parry, Chief Marketing Officer, spea...

In just two weeks, markets have swung from panic to confidence. Equities are back at record highs, oil prices fell and gilts (UK government bonds) have seen a surge in demand. It’s the speed and breadth of that shift that has caught some investors off guard. Markets appear to be pricing in calm, even as geopolitical risks remain unresolved and sentiment continues to turn quickly with each new head...

Markets rallied sharply last week following a ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran. The scale of the market response was positive - yet surprising - given how fragile and uncertain the situation remains. Energy prices remain well above pre‑conflict levels, with disruption through the Strait of Hormuz continuing. That has brought renewed focus on the risk of stagflation - a challenging en...

After several weeks of volatility in the Middle East dominating headlines, markets showed more encouraging signs last week. Equity markets moved higher, bonds also rallied and sentiment appeared to stabilise as investors focused on improving fundamentals rather than daily news flow. While uncertainty hasn’t disappeared, recent market moves suggest investors may be starting to look through the nois...

Markets are telling two very different stories right now. On one hand, equities and credit markets have been surprisingly resilient despite the heightened uncertainty around the conflict in Iran and surging energy prices. On the other, UK government bonds (gilts) are showing sharp moves, with yields rising above 5% - levels not seen since the financial crisis. This week, Jane Parry, Chief Marketin...

The situation in the Middle East continues to drive markets, with tensions around the Strait of Hormuz keeping energy prices elevated. While oil grabs the headlines, another important market reaction is happening elsewhere: UK government bond (gilts) yields are now approaching 5% - levels not seen since the financial crisis. For long-term investors, this surge isn’t just a headline, it could repre...

The Strait of Hormuz - through which around a fifth of the world’s oil flows - is now at the centre of escalating tensions, sending energy prices sharply higher and raising fresh questions for inflation and interest rates. Oil has surged above US$100 a barrel, with sharp swings reflecting just how uncertain the situation remains. But this isn’t just about energy: when oil moves, it feeds into almo...

Escalating tensions involving Iran have unsettled global markets, driving energy prices higher and reviving inflation concerns. The ripple effects have been felt across asset classes, with the UK market particularly sensitive to an energy-driven shock. Against that backdrop, UK government bonds (gilts) have endured one of their worst weeks in years. Gilt yields moved higher as investors reassessed...

Markets have turned more volatile this week as tensions in the Middle East escalate. Beyond the very real human cost, investors are trying to gauge what it could mean for energy supplies, inflation and global markets. Equities have pulled back as uncertainty rises, while traditional ‘safe haven’ assets such as the US dollar have strengthened. But the market reaction hasn’t been entirely typical. W...

Tech stock performance has dominated headlines in what feels like ages, but the story may be broadening. Investors are turning to ‘old economy’ sectors - industrials, materials and utilities. UK and European equities are showing real strength, supported by infrastructure demand, rising energy needs and valuations that look attractive compared with the US. What else has powered their gains this pas...

Last week, AI was ‘coming for’ software. This week, it’s part two and the plot has thickened. The disruption narrative has spread beyond enterprise tech into financial services, with banks, insurers and even wealth managers facing fresh questions over underwriting, research and advisory models. Headline markets were broadly flat. But beneath the surface, there was a sharp rotation. Some of the big...

Just when markets thought they understood the AI story, it shifted again. This week saw a historic rout in global software stocks - their worst week since April last year and their weakest relative performance since the tech bubble burst 25 years ago. In a single day, around US$300bn was wiped off the sector. Is this a genuine turning point, or are the markets shooting first and asking questions l...

Gold and silver have been doing well for months. Then, almost overnight, the rally cracked. Last week saw one of the sharpest pullbacks in precious metals in decades, alongside fresh weakness in Bitcoin. Is this just volatility or could it mean something deeper? This week, Jane Parry is joined by a returning Tom Hibbert, Chief Investment Strategist, to unpack what triggered the sudden sell-off. To...

In this episode, Jane Parry, Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Leah Bramwell, Head of Tailored Investment Solutions, to unpack why Japanese politics suddenly moved markets and why investors everywhere should be paying attention. Swapping coffee for matcha, they explain how bond yields, currencies and the much-talked-about ‘carry trade’ fit into the bigger global picture. Together they discuss:...

This week, Jane Parry, Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Kamal Warraich, Head of Fund Selection, to sift through the noise and break down a week packed with market drama. From silver surging on artificial intelligence (AI) demand and corporate earnings surprises to President Trump making headlines with more trade tariffs and a high-stakes tussle over Greenland, there’s plenty to digest. Togeth...

In the first Coffee Break podcast of 2026, Jane Parry is joined by guest host Richard Champion, Co-Chief Investment Officer, to take stock of where markets stand after two strong years and what may lie ahead as the global backdrop becomes more complex. Together, they discuss: • US central bank tensions and political pressure on interest rates • Gold hitting record highs amid high government debt •...

Enter the mind-bending world of quantum computing and what it could mean for the future of security. Jane Parry, Chief Marketing Officer is joined again by Research Specialist in our Chief Investment Office, John Pullar-Strecker to explore: How quantum phenomena already exist in nature - from migrating robins to plant photosynthesis The concept of the “Quantum Christmas Safe” and what it tells us...

As Christmas approaches, many households will be spending a little more time (and money) caring for the cherished pets they have. But behind the festive cheer sits a serious and growing theme: how we look after pet health and why innovation in diagnostics is becoming increasingly important for owners, vets and investors alike. In the first of our special Christmas episodes, Jane Parry, Group Chief...

In our final regular weekly episode of the year, Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Tom Hibbert - newly appointed Chief Investment Strategist - to reflect on the latest market developments and what they could mean as we head into 2026. Together, they discuss: Why equity markets have drifted sideways despite a Fed rate cut What the end of quantitative tightening really means an...

In this episode, Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Tom Hibbert from the Chief Investment Office to explore how the world’s most influential central banks are shaping market sentiment as we head into year-end. Together, they cover: Why markets have been ‘rangebound’ and what that tells us about investor sentiment Why the Fed is cutting rates despite a surprisingly ‘hot’ US eco...

We’re interrupting our regular programming to welcome David onto our weekly Canaccord Coffee Break podcast for a special Budget episode. In discussion with Jane Parry, Chief Marketing Officer, he shares: How clients are reacting to the Budget Practical tips on how to structure your wealth for tax efficiency What’s changed to key tax rates (including some you might have missed) How to make sure you...

In this episode, Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Tom Hibbert, Multi-Asset Strategist, to cover the market reaction to the recent UK Budget and how markets are developing elsewhere in the world. They spoke about: Why AI-linked tech stocks are under pressure and what’s driving the sell off Shifting risk appetite in the credit market What the Volatility Index ‘fear gauge’ is t...

This week, Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Tom Hibbert, Multi-Asset Strategist in our Chief Investment Office, to unpack whether the shine is coming off the AI boom - or whether this is just another plot point in the fast-moving AI narrative. In this episode, they explore:  Why Burry believes parts of the AI story are running ahead of reality The eye-watering levels of tech...

This week Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by Tom Hibbert, Multi-Asset Strategist in our Chief Investment Office to explore UK fiscal policy and what it means for growth, markets and your investments.  In this episode, they discuss: Why further tax rises could actually reduce long-term growth by discouraging investment and business activity How the UK government could grow the...

This week Jane Parry, Group Chief Marketing Officer, is joined by John Pullar-Strecker, Research Specialist in our Chief Investment Office to explore the tech giants dominating global markets and what it means for investors. In this episode, they discuss:  Why the top ten US companies now make up over 40% of the US stock market How NVIDIA, Microsoft and Apple each rival the entire UK stock market...