Insights and events for financial advisers

War in the Middle East interrupted what had been a strong start to the year for both bonds and equities. Inflation is suddenly back on the worry list and hopes for imminent interest rate cuts have evaporated. We explore how current events are unfolding and where risks and opportunities are being uncovered.

David Coombs, Head of Multi‑Asset Investments at Rathbones Asset Management, joins Victoria Scholar, Head of Investments at Interactive Investor, and Tara Fitzpatrick, Multi‑Asset Fund Manager at Schroders, to explore the key risks facing markets, what they could mean for investors, and how to navigate them.

Conflicting information is making it challenging to see markets clearly. In spite of this, there are attractive opportunities to be had.

President Trump's blockade on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is a high-risk, high-stakes strategy for the negotiating table. That means risks for markets too.

It’s best to stick to long-term strategies, rather than trying to trade on the unpredictable twists and turns of this war.

Whether the war in Iran escalates, and when it will ultimately end, is anyone’s guess. But we still believe staying invested is the best course of action.

Trading of threats between the US and Iran over the weekend sent equities falling, before they reversed sharply as US rhetoric softened. No real clarity has emerged, but we don’t want to miss any opportunities that might open up when hostilities do eventually settle down.

The Iran conflict has expanded across the Middle East. In an unpredictable situation, we see good ways of mitigating risks and protecting portfolios.

When confronted with big unknowns, it’s tempting to imagine the worst. Amid the fog of war, our investment process aims to manage the risks while not missing the boat if things suddenly take a turn for the better.

Keep more, grow more. Every pound saved from tax today is a pound compounding tomorrow. Make sure you’re optimising your clients finances for tax purposes with our useful tips.

Many UK investors reach a point where their Individual Savings Allowance (ISA) and pension allowances no longer offer enough room for long-term planning. When that happens, if they've already opened a general investment account (GIA), an offshore investment bond can be a helpful next step. It offers a tax‑efficient structure, flexibility around how and when gains become taxable, and options that can support family wealth and estate planning.

The Spring Statement 2026 was designed to provide stability, aiming for predictability at a time when global events have been anything but predictable. While Chancellor Rachel Reeves avoided major tax or spending changes, households and investors are already feeling the effects of rising geopolitical tensions, renewed inflation concerns, and uncertainty about interest rates.

For now the focus remains squarely on the Iran conflict and closure of key shipping lanes, but hopes for a de-escalation have helped reduce the turbulence. Holding to our long-term focus is still the best way to keep our seatbelts fastened.

It’s best to stick to long-term strategies, rather than trying to trade on the unpredictable twists and turns of this war.

The surface calm of markets has been disrupted by an escalation of conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices and overall volatility have spiked, but we remain confident in the long-term prospects for well-diversified portfolios.

We summarise events in the Middle East, with thoughts about what might happen next and the consequences for financial markets and your investments. This is a fast-moving situation, so please keep in mind any future developments as the media reports them.