It’s that time again – new year, mid-Jan – and we’re preparing for US banks’ quarterly financial health check. The sector is important, in terms of the message about US, and thus global, growth. Also the read-across for Euro/UK sector counterparts, in terms of sentiment and expectations about results closer to home in the weeks to come….
The UK 100 index is ending the inaugural week of 2019 on a positive note, +1.5% for the week. This comes courtesy of a late Friday rally on the back of a better than expected December US jobs report and China delivering welcome stimulus in the wake of disappointing macro data. What lies ahead? Bulls are…
The UK 100 had a tough Q4, falling 8.5% from October highs. Santa’s traditional December rally was conspicuously absent and Christmas trading was rather more volatile than usual. It’s been a rocky start to the new year too, with Global markets stuttering on bad news from China. Apple warned on China growth, China Manufacturing data disappointed,…
“I only trade the UK Index “. I’ve heard this familiar refrain multiple times around the trading floor. This can be due to force of habit, conservative trading attitude or just lack of familiarity. A significant portion of London’s retail investors prefer to only buy and sell UK 100 blue-chip stocks. There is no double…
The UK 100 index is flirting with a break that could help it close the week in positive territory and escape the falling channel of the last few weeks. That said, for those of you who have remained active in the markets between Christmas and New Year, after some impressive moves both down to and…
The Banking sector is an important one to have been caught up in the recent sell-off; down 15-26% year to date. That said UK banks have at least outperformed EU counterparts ( banks -20% year to date vs. STOXX Europe 600 Banks -30%). Germany’s troubled Deutsche Bank, for example, is in the red by a whopping…