News and Events

2024 has been a very good year for investors so far, with stock markets in the UK, US and Europe all reaching record highs. Signs of weakness have emerged in recent weeks, as companies report their latest earnings: valuations in the US are high and some profit taking has occurred. The UK stock market appears cheaper, with an improving economy to boot. Many investors believe inflation is finally under control.

2024 always promised to be a busy year for elections, with one half of the world’s population heading to the polls. As far as financial markets are concerned, political surprises have now bubbled up in several countries within a short period of time. With much still to be decided by voters, there is greater uncertainty in the short-term investment outlook. However, inflation remains on a declining path in the UK, US and Europe, while economic growth appears strong.

Greaves West & Ayre (GWA) has tried to deliver “Quality Advice – Quality Service” for over 106 years. Over…

Summer is just round the corner and we would be delighted if you joined us at the Haddington Show and the Border Union Show once again this year. 

Recent data has hinted at a divergence between the US and UK/EU economies, with signs of an economic slowdown in the States coinciding with Britain and Europe rebounding from a period of stagnant GDP growth. Having been neglected for several years post-Brexit, there is hope that UK stocks may finally prosper given a more favourable macroeconomic environment.

On the 1 January 2024 the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued guidance on the changes that are…

At the end of 2023, investors expected the US and UK central banks to reduce interest rates by 1.50 -1.75 percentage points in 2024.1 A fortnight after the spring equinox, those expectations have reduced to only 0.25 - 0.75 percentage points2 and some are now questioning whether we will see any rate cuts at all.

As we look forward to Spring and the lighter, brighter days ahead, we round up what has been a busy few months as we came to the end of 2023 and welcomed the New Year. Our support of local causes, initiatives and hosting of our own events has been as busy as ever…

Rural Seminars – We held two successful rural seminars in late Autumn 2023, one in Haddington, East Lothian…

We are pleased to announce that Richard Kirkham has become a Director of Three Counties Ltd and GWA Asset Management
Ltd on 6 February 2024.

This year sees the departure of two of our longest standing and most well respected Partners, Alan Patterson, and Ewan Millar. Ewan and Alan retire on 31 March this year, with Alan remaining as a consultant until 31 July.

The cash basis is a simpler way of preparing accounts, which takes account only of cash received and cash paid out. Unlike the traditional accruals basis there is no need to match income and expenses to the period to which they relate, or take account of debtors and creditors