i-Wire: In the eye of the Storm (again) These continue to be very difficult times for global markets which sold off heavily in the second half of October. They now face a uniquely challenging week as the re-imposition of lockdown restrictions in Europe is simultaneous with the US going to the polls in the most bitter and divisive election for decades. This has the potential to be a volatile few weeks which could test investors nerves to the full. Our counsel, as in March and April, is that at times of severe market stress the best policy is to think long term and only make changes to portfolios when there is more clarity as to the outlook yet good opportunities still present themselves. At the risk of being overtaken quickly by events, this is our assessment of the current market background The severity and magnitude of the Covid pandemic, along with the response from Central Banks and governments, will remain the main driver of market direction for the remainder of this year and next. The US election is more of a transient short-term factor in terms of market movement, though one that has the potential to be explosive. In the [...]