As we draw to the end of yet another record-breaking year, it’s time to look ahead to what comes next. 2017 took on the torch from where its predecessor left off, providing shocks, scandals and recoveries aplenty.

So, what does 2018 hold? Surely nothing could top the past 24 months of excitement? Think again.

Re-elections, Re-elections, Re-elections

We thought we might have earned a break from going to the polls after a slew of elections and referenda in the past 18 months. However, it looks as though 2018 will see vote counters roused from their day jobs once more. Possibly even multiple times.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is yet to form a government after her CDU/CSU party won the most votes in the country’s September Federal Election. Negotiations to form a ‘Jamaica’ coalition broke down, while the opposition SPD party are tentative in brokering a new ‘grand’ coalition – the form of government that has ruled the country since 2013.

Italy is still scheduled to hold elections in early 2018 after Prime Minister Matteo Renzi failed to win a key referendum, while closer to home, the Irish government narrowly avoided elections after the Deputy PM resigned to avoid a no confidence vote.

However, there are still wide-ranging ramifications of the political turmoil unfolding on the Emerald Isle.

Brexit means Brexit. Or does it?

Over eight months since Article 50 was triggered and UK-EU divorce proceedings began, investors are still none the wiser as to exactly what Brexit will ultimately look like once the 2019 deadline arrives.

While many in the UK are ready to talk preferential trade deals, European counterparts seem to be singing from a different hymn sheet entirely.

Most contentiously, the Northern Irish border remains a crucial issue and, while a divorce bill of €45-55bn has been suggested by both sides, this will be subject to negotiation right up until a final deal.

All this before even reaching the hurdles facing the UK and EU in 2018. Assuming the aforementioned issues are solved, next year will see the start of all-important trade talks. Will things run smoothly or might the UK walk away if the EU offers a ‘bad’ deal?

The Federal Reserve of Trump

If you thought Brexit is taking a while to take shape, then spare a thought for US President Donald Trump.

It has taken almost 11 months for the President, to score a major legislative victory, seeing his Tax Reform pass in the Senate after attempts to repeal Obamacare were shot down earlier this year.

Trump’s most influential move of 2017, however, may be his nomination of Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell to become the next chair of the Fed.

Breaking many years of precedent, the President did not re-nominate the current head, Janet Yellen, for a second term, instead opting to promote current Fed Governor Powell. Will the former investment banker prove more hawkish than his dovish predecessor?

The year might change, but our high standard service won’t. Accendo Markets’ research team puts together daily publications covering a range of assets. To discover our award-winning offering, sign up to have it delivered directly to your inbox.