What is an asset class? January 2, 2020 | City Talk Today, diversification and alternative returns are our top portfolio concerns. Why? Because low interest rates may have driven valuations of stocks, bonds, and other asset classes to unsustainable heights, so we’re forever on the lookout for uncorrelated assets to incorporate into our portfolios. And of course, product providers are all too happy to accommodate us, [...]
Eurozone PMI: Poor end to the year for European factories January 2, 2020 The Eurozone’s manufacturing sector contracted for the 11th consecutive month, according to newly released figures. IHS Markit’s Eurozone Purchasing Mangers’ Index (PMI), which measures conditions in the manufacturing and services sector, for December sank to 46.3 from 46.9. Read more: Eurozone PMI: Economy mired in worst spell since 2012 Figures feeding into the PMI figure [...]
Interest rates unlikely to rise in 2020, says ECB policymaker Robert Holzmann December 28, 2019 A European Central Bank policymaker has said it is unlikely interest rates will be lifted back into positive territory next year. Robert Holzmann cited Brexit as being likely to cause renewed concern toward the end of 2020. Read more: New ECB president Legarde tells governments to hite spending to tackle downturn The governing council voted [...]
Boxing Day shopping slump as retailers suffer sharp decline in footfall December 28, 2019 Boxing Day shopping footfall fell at its steepest rate in nine years due to rain and Black Friday deals. In the period up until noon on 26 December, footfall was down by 10.6 per cent on the same period as a year ago, according to data company Springboard. It was the biggest decline since 2010, [...]
Global shares on the rise in end of year rally December 28, 2019 Global markets scaled records on Friday as the prospect of growth was raised by optimism surrounding a US-China trade deal and strong Chinese economic data. Wall Street saw all-time highs early on Friday before losing steam at the session’s close, with the Nasdaq losing some ground. The Dow Jones rose 23.87 points in total, or [...]
FTSE 100 rises on positivity over US-China trade deal December 27, 2019 The FTSE 100 rose for the eleventh straight session this morning, as traders were cheered by positive signs over a US-China trade deal. London’s main index, which is on its best run in three years, adding 0.4 per cent. Miners provided the biggest boost, as Glencore and BHP rose about two per cent each. Read [...]
EU may need to extend trade deal talks with UK, says von der Leyen December 27, 2019 The European Union may have to extend the deadline for talks over a new trading relationship with Britain, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen told French paper Les Echos that both sides need to think seriously about whether there is enough time to negotiate a new trade deal. Read [...]
City A.M.’s Christmas quiz: How well do you remember 2019? December 26, 2019 Hello and welcome to City A.M.’s Christmas quiz of 2019! You’ve eaten more than your fill of turkey, endured your uncle’s excruciatingly detailed explanation of his plans for a new shed, and played as many games of charades as you can possibly manage without exploding at your cousin, who has apparently never seen Jaws. So [...]
UK GDP growth revised up but ‘shows underlying slowing of economy’, ONS December 20, 2019 A revised estimate showed UK gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 per cent in the third quarter of 2019 showing an underlying slowing of the UK economy. This was higher than the expected 0.3 per cent but reflected high domestic and global uncertainty, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said today in its quarterly [...]
The economics of gift giving: It probably isn’t worth it December 20, 2019 It is Christmastime, which means that on Tuesday I will be frantically rushing around doing some very last-minute shopping and attempting to wrap presents. I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to buy people this year, although my young nieces are proving to be particularly tricky. As I’ve never been a four-year-old girl, [...]