Newsletter 17th April

Hi Ladies,

Aaaaand breathe! As we relax into an Easter break,  we’ve also started to see signs of market stability, 15 days after Trump’s ‘liberation day’. It’s felt a little bit like we’ve packed years of action into just a fortnight, but we’ve seen many major indexes regain the losses initially seen after the announcement. However, we’ve seen some major ‘bellweather’ companies report their earnings this week (when their announcement is seen as so important that they can offer a reading for a whole sector), which have revealed some of the issues that the tariffs may present. It’s not as pretty a picture as the chocolate eggs that we have lined up, but we’ll keep you informed as we start to see more of these movements play out!

Top 5 Market Headlines of the Week

Here are some of the biggest headlines we’ve seen this week that could affect you and your investments.

UK inflation drops again to 2.6% in March

NVIDIA will likely face a $5.5 billion hit from tariffs on AI chip exports to China

Argentina agrees to loosen currency controls to secure $20billion IMF deal

Netflix to report their earnings after the bell, with many expecting strong outcomes

Gold hits another all time high amid tariff uncertainty and a falling US dollar

Sources: FT, FT, FT, Yahoo Finance, Yahoo Finance

Upcoming events

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Join us for an eye-opening webinar, “Mastering Your Money Mindset,” where you’ll learn how a simple shift in perspective can unlock powerful financial potential.

We’re thrilled to have Vanessa Iremiren hosting—an experienced Wealth Advisor with over a decade in banking and a deep passion for money psychology. Vanessa helps individuals overcome financial trauma and build a confident, empowered relationship with their finances.

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Little learn of the week

What Does a Weak Dollar Actually Mean?

You might’ve heard talk about the US dollar “losing strength” lately—but what does that actually mean, and why should UK investors care?

A weaker dollar simply means the value of the US dollar is falling compared to other currencies, like the British pound. When this happens, UK-based investors might notice a few interesting ripple effects:

Firstly, US investments often become cheaper: If you’re buying US stocks or ETFs, a weaker dollar means your pounds usually go further. Think of it like a little discount when investing abroad.

But your existing US investments might take a hit: If you already own US assets, their value could drop when converted back into pounds, if you were to do that right away.

Additionally, global companies might benefit: Big UK-based companies that earn in dollars (like oil or mining firms) could see boosted profits when those dollars are converted back to pounds—potentially good news for their stock prices.

The takeaway? Currency movements can be complex to understand but can quietly shape your investment outcomes. It doesn’t mean panic or pivot—it just means staying curious, informed, and diversified. 

Major indexes & Propelle Funds

Last Week’s Major Indexes

Before we dive in…

Indices are lists of major sections of a market. Basically, they give a gauge of the health of a certain financial market. You’ll see below the value of some major global indices, as well as how much it changed last week, with a percentage.

FTSE 100 (UK): 8,261.06 +4.40%

S&P 500 (US): 5,258.01 +0.05%

Euro Stoxx 50 (Europe): 4,939.99 +2.03%

Nasdaq (US): 16,187.13 -1.05%

Dow Jones (US): 38,977.19 -1.31%

Accurate as of Friday 11th April 1100

Propelle Funds

We have a selection of funds available on our Propelle investing app, specially selected to be diverse and suitable for a range of investors. Whilst all investing should be considered long-term (with a minimum of 5 years), it can be helpful to understand how each fund is doing. Here’s some notable updates from our Propelle funds.

HSBC Global Shariah Multi-Asset Fund

On the Propelle platform, we have a Shariah compliant fund, which means that it’s suitable for an islamic audience. The biggest component of the fund is Sukuk bonds. These are Shariah-compliant investments similar to traditional bonds, but instead of paying interest, they offer returns based on shared ownership of tangible assets. As the islamic investing audience has grown, as has the market for Sukuk bonds. They’ve remained relatively resilient amid market volatility and tariff tensions, partly thanks to monetary easing and strong demand in regions like the Gulf and Southeast Asia. For UK investors looking at the fund, sukuk bonds playing a role in their portfolio can contribute to a diversified portfolio—offering exposure to emerging markets, alignment with ethical investing principles, and potential protection against currency swings, especially as the dollar fluctuates.

[check it out now]

If you invest, your capital is at risk and your investments can go up as well as down. Past performance is not an indicator of future results.

Source: HSBC

Mini Market Deep Dive

Relief for UK Shoppers as Inflation Drops for Second Month Running – Are Prices Finally Easing?

Inflation dropped to 2.6% in March, marking the second consecutive month of easing price rises—a welcome sign for UK households. A noticeable fall in petrol prices played a key role in bringing the overall rate down, offering some relief to shoppers, as well as to those on variable-rate mortgages or planning to take out a home loan. However, this dip may be short-lived. Economists warn that inflation is likely to creep back up in April, driven by rising energy bills following the end of government support schemes, and increased business costs linked to National Insurance hikes. Adding to the uncertainty, recent tariff announcements in the US have sparked market volatility, potentially fuelling inflationary pressures in the months ahead. For investors and households alike, these shifts highlight the importance of staying alert to economic signals and how they feed through to borrowing costs, savings returns, and everyday spending. As the outlook remains uncertain, keeping a close eye on inflation trends will be key to navigating the months ahead with confidence.

Source: BBC

Fear & Greed

The Fear & Greed Index is a way to gauge stock market movements and investor attitudes. The theory is based on the idea that excessive fear tends to drive down share prices, and greed tends to see share prices rise.

Whilst it’s based on the US, it matters to us in the UK because it helps us understand where general sentiment of the US market sits, which often has very close ties to other global markets and investment portfolios.

Drum roll… we’re still in extreme fear! It’s an incredibly turbulent time for markets and whilst there has been a slight shift towards the higher end of the ‘extreme fear’ scale, the volatility is not to be underestimated. Hold tight and keep learning. Knowledge is power!

Keep your eyes open for next week’s latest and how these market movements affect your finances and investments.