UK election possibility prompts portfolio revision warning

By Grace Ormsby

September 09 2019
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With a UK election “almost certainly” on the horizon, a financial advisory chief executive has warned Australians with interests in UK markets to revise their portfolios accordingly.

Founder and chief executive of deVere Group Nigel Green has flagged the fresh vote on an early election being scheduled for today, 9 September, just prior to parliament’s suspension until 14 October, means that “it’s almost certain that there will be a general election in order to try and end the deadlock”.

With the UK’s Brexit-driven political crisis escalating, Mr Green said the only question now is whether a general election takes place before or after the Brexit deadline day of 31 October 2019.

“Against the somewhat bleak outlook, UK domestic investors and global investors with exposure to UK assets should review their portfolios accordingly,” the chief executive noted.

He outlined that “when it happens, it will be an election that gives voters the stark choice between Johnson’s no-deal Brexit, which would likely negatively impact the UK economy for several years, or Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, which promises an agenda of anti-business, high-tax, low-profit policies”.

“Depressingly, those are the options facing the British electorate in a time of national crisis.”

He said global investors “should remain invested and ensure their portfolios are truly diversified across asset classes, sectors and regions”.

Mr Green said he is of the belief that the PM still has a “strong hand”, which, in fact, could be getting stronger.

“Not due to his strategy, but because Germany is on the brink of recession and they are Europe’s powerhouse economy,” he explained.

“The last thing they need is a no-deal and be unable to trade effectively as they do now with the UK, especially as the wider EU and global economies are slowing.”

Taking Brexit out of the equation for a second, Mr Green said “an election in itself will create further uncertainty for the UK economy and the pound – and whoever wins, Mr Johnson or Mr Corbyn, the drama will be far from over for differing reasons”.

“Geopolitical factors of this magnitude impact investor returns, and steps should be taken to mitigate risks and take advantage of the opportunities when they are presented,” Mr Green said.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

About the author

Grace Ormsby

Grace is a journalist on Momentum Media's nestegg. She enjoys being able to provide easy to digest information and practical tips for Australians with regard to their wealth, as well as having a platform on which to engage leading experts and commentators and leverage their insight.

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