Openwork Investment Committee - Investor Update March 2020

In this difficult time, we hope that you and your family are all well and managing through this
extraordinary and tough period. The Openwork Investment Committee met yesterday (Tuesday 24
March) and we would like to reassure you that while your investment values are likely to have fallen
in the short-term, we are confident that all processes are being followed correctly.

We discussed all the following investments, some of which you may hold:

 Omnis Funds
 Openwork Graphene Model Por...

LAST WEEK – KEY TAKEAWAYS

Markets: Shares fluctuate despite government and central bank measures

• Global shares fell sharply at the start of the week after governments introduced stricter rules to contain the spread of the coronavirus;
• Further support from governments and central banks helped stock markets recover slightly on Tuesday, but they dropped again on Wednesday as concerns about the impact of the virus on the global economy returned;
• Those concerns also weighed on government bonds- usually considered a safe have asset in times ...

Following, the global equity market falls in February caused by coronavirus (now referred to as Covid-19), March has continued this downward trend.  The impact of social distancing and self-isolation is not only having an impact on our daily lives but has seen places of work, bars, restaurants, shops, etc. all close putting a huge pressure on the global economy.

All major governments have responded to the challenge with fiscal and financial stimulus for businesses and individuals alike.

Coming to terms with market turbulence
As a direct consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak, global stock markets are suffering a period of turbulence. When markets move significantly it can prove very challenging to hear through the noise and focus on the bigger picture.

Lessons from history
Over recent years many investors have become used to a variety of political, financial and economic factors impacting markets, from the Brexit Referendum and subsequent prolonged uncertainty, to the global financial crisis and even further back to the dotcom...

State pensions
The new single-tier State Pension will increase from £168.60 a week to £175.20 in April 2020. For pensioners receiving the older basic State Pension, this will increase from £129.20 to £134.25 per week (3.9% increase). For spouses/civil partners this will increase to £80.45 per week.

The rise is the result of the triple-lock system, which means that the State Pension rises in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5%, whichever is the highest.

Private pensions
To support the delivery of public services, particularly in the NHS, the...

Newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, delivered his first Budget on 11 March, against a backdrop of uncertainty following the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent financial losses. It was the first of two Budgets to be delivered in 2020, with the second to follow in the autumn.

COVID-19 and the NHS
The Chancellor wasted no time in diving into the heart of the issue on the minds of so many across the nation: the COVID-19 crisis. Taking an empathetic tone, he reassured the British public that “we will get through this together...

A drop in oil prices sent international shares tumbling when stock markets opened yesterday.

Concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on global economic growth have weighed on demand for oil. Over the weekend, talks took place between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other producers about cutting output to support oil prices, but they failed to come to an agreement. In response, Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s de facto leader, said it would raise production and lower prices in an effort to preserve its market share ...