Market commentary – October 2018
While Europe and Japan growth rates have slowed this year the US economy has experienced strong growth, so US Portfolio exposure applies portfolio construction and risk management parameters to criteria that reflect a positive US economic view. With that in mind, this month’s market summary focusses on the US economy and reasons to be positive …
Market commentary – September 2018
Brexit is back in the headlines this month. Despite the new secretary, Dominic Raab, stating his confidence in negotiating a good deal, the majority of commentators are starting to discuss the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. The potential impact of a no-deal Brexit Last Thursday the UK government released 28 documents which assessed the potential …
Market Summary – May 2018
‘No deal Brexit’ prospects, the formation of an Italian anti-EU coalition, a stronger dollar and a stronger US economy created a mixed bag last month. With a special focus on increasing US bond yields, here is our Market Summary for May 2018. Equity Markets May was a mixed month across major equity markets, with strong …
Market Summary – April 2018
After a volatile start to the year, with falls in February and March, equity markets rallied to some extent in April. UK Key for April was the disappointingly weak, and lower than expected, 1st quarter GDP growth rate. The weak GDP growth reduced the likelihood of an interest rate rise in May which in turn …
Market Summary – March 2018
March saw a generally a downhill trend for major markets with investors displaying some nervousness catalysed by President Trump’s China targeted trade tariffs also hitting European and other allied markets leading to fears of a global trade war further depressing markets. United Kingdom In the UK, although Brexit negotiations moved forward, the economic landscape remained …
Market Summary – August 2017
With the majority of Europe away on holiday, August tends to be a quiet time for the markets. Brexit, while ongoing, doesn’t appear to have perturbed investors. Japan exceeded expectations and inflation achieved a small increase. UK Brexit negotiations continue, although they don’t appear to be advancing, this leaves a veil of uncertainty hanging over …
Market Summary | June 2017
Global markets were mixed in June, following almost universally positive returns in the previous month. UK and Eurozone equities gave back some of their gains from May, while there was a marginal advance in the US, with the Japanese Nikkei 225 Index adding a healthy 2.9%. In Europe, politics continues to dominate the news. In …
Market Summary | May 2017
We remain in predictably unpredictable times when it comes to political outcomes. There was a positive performance in major equity markets in May, primarily driven by the FTSE 100 Index as an anticipated Conservative victory in the UK election tempted buyers. President Trump also led his first official trip abroad and, despite mixed media coverage, …
Market Summary | April 2017
After little movement in March, UK equities lost some of their shine in April as blue chip companies led the market lower, with the FTSE 100 falling by 1.6%. An aggressive initial position taken by the EU on Brexit talks, and a recovery in Sterling to more than $1.29 (a level not seen since last …
Market Summary | March 2017
Markets ended the first quarter of 2017 in a relatively steady manner with equity markets moving sideways and volatility remaining reasonably low. Economically, there was nothing particularly out of the ordinary for investors to digest while political events continue to unfold around the world with the industry paying close attention. The incumbent Prime Minister, Mark …