Gillespie Financial Ltd

02/06/2026

WeekWatch

Increasing hopes that a deal between the US and Iran might finally be reached and continued AI optimism helped push US markets to new highs last week.

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S&P registers double digit returns Increasing hopes that a deal between the US and Iran might finally be reached and continued AI optimism helped push US markets to new highs last week.

27/05/2026

WeekWatch

Last week was a busy time for markets 📊

In the US, markets delivered further gains. The S&P 500 rose for the eight consecutive week. By style, small-cap and value outperformed growth and large-cap.

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In the US, markets delivered further gains. The S&P 500 rose for the eighth consecutive week. By style, small-cap and value outperformed growth and large-cap.

26/05/2026

Dementia Action Week: Shoring up the future with a lasting power of attorney

18 to 24 May marked Dementia Action Week, an annual awareness campaign led by the charity Alzheimer’s Society, which aims to bring people and organisations together to act on dementia.

A power of attorney is a way to ensure someone you trust can make decisions on your behalf, about your finances and healthcare, if you don’t have the capacity to do so yourself. By getting this in place early, families can protect themselves from some of the difficulties which can arise when a loved one has dementia.

Find out more in the article below:

There are almost one million people in the UK living with dementia, although one in three don’t have a formal diagnosis, according to Alzheimer’s Society. And the number is expected to soar to 1.4 million by 20402.

22/05/2026

🌸 Spring Bank Holiday 🌸

Our office will be closed on Monday 25 May 2026 as the GF Team are taking a well-deserved break to enjoy the long weekend.

If you need us, drop us an email at ‘[email protected]’ and we will get back to you as soon as we are back in the office.

22/05/2026

Saving and investing for children and grandchildren 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🤍

Many parents worry that their children will struggle to find their financial feet in the current environment.

However, there are a variety of investment and saving tools for parents and grandparents who want to support children and grandchildren in building financial foundations.

Here we explore some of the main options available:

Many parents worry that their children will struggle to find their financial feet in the current environment. Concerns include the flagging jobs market and inadequate retirement savings. Meanwhile, high house prices make it increasingly difficult to take the first step onto the property ladder. Thes...

21/05/2026

Financial Health Report: Financial resilience falls but a plan can boost confidence

Households are feeling less resilient and finances have worsened over the past 12 months, against a backdrop of continued cost of living pressures and global turmoil. These are the findings of St. James’s Place’s fifth Financial Health Report.

But despite the market drop in optimism, one trend has remained consistent throughout the years of the survey - those who actively engage with their finances experience better outcomes when it comes to their money. The research shows that taking a long-term approach, through planning and investing, tends to lead to higher levels of wealth and financial resilience.

Find out more in the article below:

Households are feeling less resilient and finances have worsened over the past 12 months, against a backdrop of continued cost of living pressures and global turmoil. These are the findings of St. James's Place’s fifth Financial Health Report, published today, 14 May.

19/05/2026

WeekWatch

UK government bond yields continued rising last week, as UK government leadership challenges and international questions increasingly weighed on investor minds.

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UK government bond yields continued rising last week, as UK government leadership challenges and international questions increasingly weighed on investor minds.

15/05/2026

Fixed rate or tracker? Choosing the right mortgage in uncertain times 🏡

The Bank of England (BoE) held the base rate at 3.75% this week.

But market expectations are now that the base rate will rise during 2026. This is because inflation is likely to go up due to increased oil prices caused by the prolonged conflict in Iran. The Bank of England uses interest rates as a tool to control rising inflation.

Mortgages are closely related to the Bank’s base rate, so what does this mean for anyone looking to buy or remortgage a property and in need of a new mortgage deal? Would a fixed or a tracker rate mortgage offer better value over time?

Here we explore the advantages and downsides of both mortgage types to help you with your decision.

Find out more in the article below:

But market expectations are now that the base rate will rise during 2026. This is because inflation is likely to go up due to increased oil prices caused by the prolonged conflict in Iran. The Bank of England uses interest rates as a tool to control rising inflation.

14/05/2026

Bank holds base rate as balancing act gets tougher ⚖

The Bank of England (BoE) held the base rate at 3.75% on Thursday (30 April). It is the third successive ‘hold’ vote by the BoE’s monetary policy committee (MPC), and it means rates have been stable at this level since December 2025. But with inflation likely to spike in the coming months due to sustained turmoil in the Middle East, the BoE’s balancing act is becoming more difficult.

Find out more in the article below:

But with no end in sight to the US Iran conflict, sustained high energy costs are causing significant inflationary pressure. It is likely the BoE may need to act soon, by way of increased interest rates, to control rising inflation. Experts are now predicting a base rate rise when the MPC next meets...

12/05/2026

WeekWatch

Following bruising local election results, media reports have been awash with gossip around the prime minister Keir Starmer’s future. Judging by the UK bond market, however, lenders appear to prefer the stability of continuity over the uncertainty of a leadership challenge – at least for now.

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Following bruising local election results, media reports have been awash with gossip around the prime minister Keir Starmer’s future. Judging by the UK bond market, however, lenders appear to prefer the stability of continuity over the uncertainty of a leadership challenge – at least for now.