Insights and Market Commentary

Towards the end of the first quarter, the life insurance companies announce high level information about the claims they paid in the previous 12 months and usually they give those numbers some historical context. The primary areas they cover are the core areas of life assurance lump sums, specified illness lump sum payouts and income replacement for individuals who are out of work longer term due to illness or injury. The information is usually supported by webinars and a re

Investment management used to be described in fairly simple terms: passive or active. That distinction still matters, but it no longer captures the full picture. Today, a firm’s competitiveness may also depend on how well it uses AI, and whether that AI is being applied to investing, technology, or client service. A lot of the discussion around AI in finance is still vague. In practice the big firms are using it in three quite different ways and so the same AI label can descr

We are delighted to announce the launch of the new TierOne website. Our goal in redesigning the site was to create a modern, user friendly platform that makes it easier for clients, partners, and visitors to access financial insights in Ireland, connect with our team, and stay informed through timely market commentary and business updates. As our business continues to evolve, we wanted our online presence to better reflect who we are: professional, accessible, and forward th

On a day-to-day basis markets have continued to be dominated by policy announcements and geo-political noise. Over the quarter, currency markets were less impactful on returns, with the US currency relatively steady, with the exception being some weakness in Sterling on political uncertainty. Rather than trying to second-guess policy announcements, investors have been wel served by concentrating on the facts as they affect economic fundamentals, market valuations, and sentime

The year ahead matters. Economic and market conditions are being shaped simultaneously by political change, shifting trade relationships, evolving monetary policy and rapid technological development. These influences create uncertainty, but they also reflect an environment in which economies and markets have shown a notable capacity to adapt. As we enter 2026, the balance of evidence points not to fragility, but to resilience. This World Economic & Market Outlook is therefore

The global economic backdrop has shifted meaningfully since the start of the year. What began as a broadly supportive environment for growth and markets has been disrupted by a sharp geopolitical shock centred on the Middle East and the closure of key energy and commodity supply routes. This development has introduced a different type of risk. Unlike demand driven slowdowns, which policymakers can address through interest rate adjustments, supply shocks present a more complex