Merryn Talks Money Silver’s Surge, Oil’s Bounce, London Flat Prices and the Quiet Gilt Rally
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Jan 16, 2026 This week, Marcus Ashworth, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist focused on European markets, joins John Stepek to unpack the complexities of the UK property market. They reveal why falling London flat prices might not offer real bargains due to factors like leaseholds and cladding issues. Marcus explores the bounce in oil prices linked to geopolitical risks and discusses the recent silver surge and its speculative nature. He also analyzes UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves's strategy to reshape the gilt market through shortening debt maturity, highlighting its implications.
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Check Cladding, Lease And Service Charges
- If you're a first-time buyer, research cladding, lease length, and service charges before buying a flat.
- Take your time and avoid leasehold properties where possible.
Bigger Homes Are Leading Post-Pandemic
- Post-pandemic demand favours larger homes, so detached houses outperform terraced houses, which outperform flats.
- Urban dwellings, especially in London, have underperformed the most.
Oil’s Bounce Is Likely A Short Squeeze
- Oil's recent bounce looks like a short squeeze after being oversold, not a durable shift without a major geopolitical shock.
- Marcus expects oil to drift lower absent sustained conflict disrupting supply.