The traditional equity market Santa Rally has failed to materialise. October’s UK 100 correction has embarked on a second leg lower. August’s downtrend is intact after the index’s failure to better May’s record high. We’re only just off fresh 2yr lows. The UK 100 is -12.7% year-to date. Owch. Market fears about a global trade…

My colleagues and I been discussing the UK Index reshuffle several times over the last couple of weeks, looking at potential outcomes of the latest quarterly changes to London’s blue-chip index. The dust seemingly settled on 4 Dec when the insurer Hiscox and engineering company Spirax-Sarco were promoted. At the same time, beleaguered postal service…

The UK’s UK 100 blue-chip index has bounced off 6800 to keep alive its uptrend from last week’s fresh 2yr low. A break above 6900 could put it in a rising channel towards 7000. While trade concerns may have eased,  Brexit uncertainty has risen. An unhelpful combo as we head into the season’s festivities. While…

Earlier today I looked at UK Index companies reporting results or trading updates next week. Pickings are understandably thin as the festive season ramps up. Even quieter the following Christmas week. So I had to look into January, when we traditionally get updates from the well-known retail names about their key Christmas periods. I had planned…

Energy shares have been battered by the recent oil price fall. Brent Crude has dropped close to 30% from October’s 4-year highs. Not all shares, however, have been under pressure to the same extent. Naturally, commodity prices have a strong impact on oil & gas stocks. With oil -9% this year, all London energy companies are thus…

The say clothes maketh the man (or woman). But do they make a fool-proof investment? Not for ASOS and Superdry shareholders today, as both the online fast fashion retailer and casual clothing companies’ shares are down heavily (both as low as -11.5%) following broker downgrades. Why are both fashion retailers struggling today? Is it the…