We're sorry but this app doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue. September 22, 2025 - MeDirect

Epic Investment Partners Views: The Week Ahead

 

This morning eurozone consumer confidence will be of interest, and we will hear from the ECB’s Lane, the BoE’s Pill (and again on Tue) and Bailey, and Fed’s Miran, Williams, Musalem, Hammack and Barkin. A host of prelim. HCOB manufacturing and service PMI prints across Europe follow on Tuesday. We also have the S&P PMI readings for the UK and the US, and the OECD will release its Interim Economic Outlook Report. The Fed’s Chair Powell discusses the economic outlook, while Bowman and Bostic speak at separate events. Germany IFO business climate, and US home sales and building permits feature on Wednesday. Ahead of that the BoE’s Greene speaks on supply shocks and monetary policy, and later Daly delivers a keynote remark on the economy. The third estimates for US Q2’25 GDP, personal consumption and the core and headline GDP price index will garner market interest, as will US jobless claims and existing home sales. Central bank chatter includes the Fed’s Goolsbee, Williams, Daly, and Bowman. Eurozone inflation expectations, Japan CPI, and US PCE price index, personal income and spending, and the Uni. of Michigan consumer sentiment, will keep markets busy on Friday.   

Last week, US data remained mixed. The most significant US data release was a sharp fall in weekly jobless claims, which reversed the previous week’s spike. This came after August’s retail sales report, which surprised to the upside, while housing starts and building permits disappointed. The yield on the 10-year UST rose 6bps to 4.13%, while the S&P Index reached new highs, up 1.22% in the week. The dollar rose marginally, and Brent crude fell to $66.67pb.  

However, all eyes were on the Fed, which, as expected, cut rates 25bps to a range of 4.00-4.25%. The median dot plot presented a contrasting view, with two further cuts priced in for the year, however, a significant number of officials still expect no further cuts. Following the Fed’s “risk-management cut” Chair Powell noted the difficult trade-off facing the central banks, given a shift from a previous focus on combating tariff-driven inflation to addressing a weakening employment picture. The Bank of England and European Central Bank, in contrast, held their rates steady to continue tackling inflation.  

Elsewhere, China’s retail sales growth held steady in August, and real estate investment continued to show weakness, indicating that the property sector still requires further stimulus. On the policy front there was a focus on a new round of funding for a consumer goods trade-in programme, as the government continues to boost domestic consumption. This morning the PBoC maintained its key lending, a decision that aligns with market expectations and reflects a cautious approach to monetary policy.  

 

 


Epic Investment Partner’s Key risks & Disclaimers:

EPIC Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is a sub-fund of EPIC Funds p.l.c. (the “Company”), which is an open-ended umbrella fund authorised in Ireland as a UCITS fund and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This marketing material has been approved in the UK by EPIC Markets (UK) LLP, trading as EPIC Investment Partners, which is a limited liability partnership incorporated and registered in England and Wales under partnership OC306260 with its registered office at Audrey House, 16-20 Ely Place, London EC1N 6SN. EPIC Markets (UK) LLP is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Distribution of this material and the offer of the Fund are specifically restricted in certain jurisdictions. In particular, but without limitation, neither this material nor shares in the Fund are available to US persons.

This document is for general information purposes only and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not a personal recommendation and it should not be regarded as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any shares in the Fund. This document represents the views of EPIC Investment Partners at the time of writing. It should not be construed as investment advice. Any person interested in investing in the Fund should conduct their own investigation and analysis of the Fund and should consult their own professional tax, accounting or other advisers as to the risks involved in making such an investment. Full details of the Fund’s investment objectives, investment policy and risks are set out in the Fund’s Prospectus and Supplement which, together with the Key Information Document (“KID”), are available on request and free of charge from Maples Fund Services (Ireland) Limited, 32 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland and, in the UK, from EPIC Markets (UK) LLP, Audrey House, 16-20 Ely Place, London EC1N 6SN. Any offering of the Fund is only made on the terms of the current Prospectus, Supplement and KID. A subscription in the Fund can only be made after the provision of the KIID and should be made solely upon the information contained in the Prospectus, Supplement and KID.

An investment in the Fund is not suitable for an investor who cannot sustain a loss on their investment. There is no guarantee of the Fund’s future performance and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of your investment and the income derived from it can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the money you invested. The risks associated with making an investment in the Fund are described in the Prospectus and Supplement but investors should note, in particular, the following: 1) Foreign currency denominated investments are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates that could have a positive or an adverse effect on an investor’s returns. There is also a risk that currency hedging transactions for one share class may in extreme cases adversely affect the net asset value of the other share classes within the same sub-fund since there is no legal segregation between share classes; 2) The Fund is subject to the risk of the insolvency of its counterparties; and 3) Emerging market securities are subject to greater social, political, regulatory, and currency risks than developed market securities. This may impact the liquidity and value of such securities and, consequently, the value of the Fund.


MeDirect Disclaimers:

This information has been accurately reproduced, as received from EPIC Investment Partners. No information has been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading. This information is being distributed by MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to its customers. The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or other professional advice nor does it commit MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to any obligation whatsoever. The information available in this document is not intended to be a suggestion, recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell, any securities and is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness.

The financial instruments discussed in the document is intended for retail clients however, it may not be suitable for all investors and investors must make their own informed decisions and seek their own advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments or implementing strategies discussed herein.

If you invest in this product you may lose some or all of the money you invest. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. A commission or sales fee may be charged at the time of the initial purchase for an investment. Any income you get from this investment may go down as well as up. This product may be affected by changes in currency exchange rate movements thereby affecting your investment return therefrom. The performance figures quoted refer to the past and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance or a reliable guide to future performance. Any decision to invest in a mutual fund should always be based upon the details contained in the Prospectus and Key Information Document (KID), which may be obtained from MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc.

MeDirect employees support Hospice Malta

At MeDirect, we believe in giving back to the community. Recently, our team came together to raise funds in support of Hospice Malta, an organisation which provides palliative care services free of charge to patients in Malta and Gozo.

Hospice Malta is dedicated to patient-centered care that alleviates pain, manages physical symptoms, and addresses emotional, psycho-social, and spiritual needs.  The donation was presented by Johann Casha, Senior Manager – Corporate IT to Alexia Demicoli, Chief Relations Officer at Hospice Malta.

In addition to patient care, Hospice Malta is committed to the promotion and education of palliative care. The organisation’s education unit offers sessions at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, alongside in-service training for staff and volunteers to ensure the highest quality of care.

Through the generosity of our team, we were able to present a donation that will contribute towards Hospice Malta’s ongoing work in offering free, professional services to those who need them most.

For further details about Hospice Malta, please visit https://hospicemalta.org/.

Is paying off your mortgage early a good idea?

Paying off your mortgage early can be a tempting financial goal. The idea of living debt-free and owning your home outright is appealing, but is it always the best financial decision? Here, we explore the pros and cons of paying off your home loan early to help you decide if it’s the right move for you.

Pros of paying off your mortgage early

One of the most significant benefits of paying off your mortgage early is the potential savings on interest. By reducing the loan term, you pay less interest over the life of the loan, which can amount to substantial savings. Eliminating your mortgage also means one less monthly payment to worry about. This can provide a sense of financial freedom and reduce stress, allowing you to allocate funds to other financial goals or enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle.

Additionally, paying off your home loan early increases your home equity, which can be a valuable asset. Higher equity can provide financial security and options, such as the ability to take out a home equity loan if needed. Finally, without a mortgage payment, you have more disposable income each month. This can be used for investments, savings, or other expenses, improving your overall financial flexibility.

Cons of Paying Off Your Mortgage Early

There are several reasons why paying off your mortgage early might be a bad idea. For example, the money could be invested elsewhere, potentially earning a higher return. If your home loan interest rate is low, you might benefit more from investing, or other opportunities. Furthermore, tying up a significant amount of money in your home will likely reduce your liquidity. In case of emergencies or unexpected expenses, having less cash available can be a disadvantage.

You also need to consider your financial priorities. If you have other high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, it might be more beneficial to pay those off first. Also, ensuring you have an emergency fund and contributing to retirement accounts should take precedence over paying off a mortgage, especially if interest rates are low.

Making the Decision

Whether paying off your home loan early is a good idea depends on your individual financial situation, goals, and priorities. To begin with check whether any fees and charges would apply if you were to pay off your home loan early. You should also compare your mortgage interest rate with potential returns from other investments. If your mortgage rate is low, investing might be a better option.

Next, think about your long-term financial goals, such as retirement, education, savings, or other investments. Ensure these goals are on track before focusing on paying off your mortgage. You also need to make sure you have enough liquid assets to cover emergencies and unexpected expenses. Maintaining an emergency fund is crucial.

Conclusion

Paying off your mortgage early can offer significant benefits, such as interest savings and financial freedom. However, it’s essential to consider the opportunity cost, liquidity concerns, and your overall financial priorities. By carefully evaluating your situation you can make an informed decision that aligns with your financial goals.

MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, company registration number C34125, is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority as a Credit Institution under the Banking Act 1994.

Applications are subject to the Bank’s lending criteria.  Your residential immovable property may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it. The Bank is also registered as a Tied Insurance Intermediary under the Insurance Distribution Act 2018.  Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request.

MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, The Centre, Tigné Point, Sliema, TPO 0001, Malta.

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