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Spence Financial - Independent Financial Planning Expert

Helping people make smarter financial decisions.

Independent Financial Adviser offering expert guidance on pensions, investments, inheritance tax, protection and cashflow planning to grow, protect and maximise your wealth.

04/03/2026

The Strait of Hormuz may be the most dangerous shipping lane in the world and the latest US–Israel strike on Iran has pushed it back into the spotlight.

On 28 February, coordinated strikes targeted senior Iranian leadership, escalating tensions sharply. Iran’s retaliation was far stronger than in 2025, launching drone and missile attacks across Israel and several Gulf states. This forced major airspace closures and disrupted traffic around the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow chokepoint that handles 20–30% of global oil flows.

Why does this matter?

If the strait reopens quickly, oil will likely carry a geopolitical risk premium but shouldn’t trigger major inflation.

But if it remains closed, prices could surge toward $100/bbl, reviving inflation concerns and delaying central bank rate cuts.

Unlike the 1970s oil crisis, OPEC is opposed to the disruption and has increased production. The U.S. has also avoided tapping strategic reserves, signalling confidence that the closure will be short-lived.

The Strait of Hormuz is small, but the consequences of its disruption could be enormous.

22/11/2025

Why pay for financial advice when there's so much free information available?

As a regulated financial adviser, it’s a question I get asked all the time. It’s not easy to answer in a short reel, but hopefully this gives you a few things to consider.

This content is for information only and does not constitute personal financial advice. Spence Financial Ltd is an appointed representative of ValidPath Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 197107.

14/05/2025

UK and US Announce “Economic Prosperity Deal”

Late Wednesday last week, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to hint at a new “trade deal” with what he called a “big and highly respected country.” By Thursday morning’s press conference, it was confirmed: the deal is with the UK.

While any major trade deal still requires approval from Congress, this agreement is more of a framework than a final pact. It focuses on easing or removing tariffs that the Trump administration had previously imposed, with more detailed negotiations expected in the coming months.

Here are the key points announced so far:

Car Tariffs Reduced:
Trump’s 25% tariff on UK-made cars and car parts has been lowered to 10%, up to a cap of 100,000 vehicles per year. Cars exceeding this quota will face a steep 27.5% import tax. US tariffs on Rolls-Royce engines and aircraft parts have also been dropped.

Steel and Aluminium Tariffs Removed:
The 25% tariff on UK steel and aluminium exports has been scrapped. However, it’s still unclear if this change covers related products like gym equipment, machinery, and furniture.

Digital Services Tax Unchanged (for now):
The UK’s 2% tax on digital services remains in place. This applies to tech companies earning over £25 million annually from UK users.

US Beef Access Expanded:
The UK has lifted its 20% tariff on American beef and increased the import quota to 13,000 metric tonnes. However, the UK will continue to ban beef treated with growth hormones.

07/05/2025

Last week, Warren Buffett, widely regarded as the GOAT of investing, officially announced his retirement at Berkshire Hathaway’s 60th annual shareholder meeting.

What truly distinguishes Buffett in the world of investing isn’t just the magnitude of his outperformance, but the duration of it. He made his first investment back in 1942.

While many investors boast strong records over 10 or even 20 years, Buffett has delivered consistent excellence for over six decades. No one else comes close, he stands alone.

He’s also celebrated for championing value investing, a philosophy rooted in long-term thinking, discipline, and a focus on buying fundamentally strong companies at fair prices.

23/04/2025

Better late than never, I’ve been writing reports and eating Easter eggs 🥚 😋

Now available in stores near you: Matt the Surfing Financial Adviser! Inspired by the best minds in finance.

Growing your wealth with clear, honest, and truly independent financial advice.

ChatGPT and other AI tools are transforming the advice process in numerous ways, and smaller firms are often better positioned to adapt quickly, which is exactly what is happening. Over the past three years, processes and systems have evolved beyond recognition, moving at a pace I have never witnessed in my career.

Honestly, it wasn’t that long ago I was still using a physical filing system, though not by choice 🤣

⬇️ PROMPT ⬇️

• A photorealistic action figure based on the person in the photo you uploaded.
• The figure should be wearing a nice suit.
• He should be surfing.
• The surfboard should look like a stylized stock market graph or ticker, representing “riding the stock market.”
• He should appear to be “jumping out of the box,” like classic action figure packaging.
• The box should be visible with the label: “Matt, Financial Planner & Investment Expert.”
• Get creative.

21/04/2025

“In America’s escalating trade war with China, it won’t be Beijing that blinks first,” says Karishma Vaswani on Bloomberg. “Trump is right, China is guilty of unfair trade practices,” but the fact is president Xi Jinping “can withstand way more economic and political pain” than Trump.

Trump excepted China from his 90-day tariff pause and they now stand at 145%. In response, China has increased tariffs on US imports from 84% to 125%.

The fact that China exports far more to the US than vice versa could be a source of leverage for China. If Chinese made products become more expensive or vanish from shelves, Americans will likely suffer. China makes 80% of Americans’ iPhones, almost 50% of the ingredients needed for America’s antibiotics, and supplies rare earths needed for a whole range of key products, including military hardware.

Meanwhile, the US market represents just 14% of Chinese exports.

More broadly, Trump’s moves aimed at sidelining China may end up isolating the US. Perhaps most concerningly, it increases the risk of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. With the threats of US tariffs now a reality, Beijing has less incentive not to go after Taipei.

09/04/2025

A trade tariff curveball could trigger an influx of cheap foreign goods into the UK, a practice known as ‘dumping.’

While this may temporarily lower prices for consumers, it poses a serious long-term risk to British industries struggling to compete.

We could easily find ourselves in a deflationary spiral. If history has taught us anything, it’s that economic predictions rarely go as planned. Economic conditions can shift rapidly.

In uncertain times, companies with a strong cash flow often prove to be resilient investment. Cash in cash out. It gives companies the resilience, flexibility and buffer they need to handle disruption and change.

26/03/2025

Three key takeaways from the Chancellor’s Spring Statement

No surprises – The UK government is walking a fine line, with limited room for manoeuvre.

Global pressures – Much depends on global inflation, largely driven by the U.S. and trade dynamics.

A pivotal year ahead – 2025 looks challenging for growth and business, with tax increases set to take effect on 6th April.

23/03/2025

I have no doubt many can relate. Just hours after this photo was taken on 23 March 2020, everything in my professional life changed. It marked a profound structural shift in the way business was done, bringing both challenges and opportunities. It was, without question, the most stressful period of my life—surpassing even the financial crisis (which was tough in its own right). Yet, it also paved the way for new beginnings, greater resilience, and the freedom to shape my own path for which I’m very thankful.

13/03/2025

Currently, we are experiencing a market downturn, particularly in the US with the S&P 500 having fallen by around 8% over the last three weeks.

📉 If you’re feeling uneasy about your investments, you're not alone. Market stress is a great test for any investment strategy.

Now is probably a good time to revisit yours and evaluate whether it still aligns with your long-term goals. If it holds up, stay the course. If not, consider making informed adjustments rather than reacting out of fear.

Remember, market downturns are a natural part of investing. Staying focused on your long-term objectives can help you navigate uncertainty with confidence.

02/01/2025

Wishing you a Happy 2025!

Starting the New Year on a positive and invigorating note!

Getting outdoors is one of the best ways to boost your mood, and there’s nothing quite like the tranquillity of an early morning sunrise. The peaceful calm of the morning provides a perfect moment of solitude before the day takes hold.

Address

Rabble Studio, 103 Bute Street
Cardiff
CF105AD

Website

https://www.spencefinancial.co.uk/

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