Commission-free trading apps follow path of challenger banks by introducing fees March 12, 2021 Commission-free trading apps like Robinhood have soared in popularity for retail investors during the pandemic. Now their attraction is dwindling as they follow the path of challenger banks by introducing fees. Robinhood lured traders through its promise of no trading fees but has recently faced regulatory scrutiny after a year of significant market volatility. Then [...]
Public’s inflation outlook holds at four-year low March 12, 2021 The public’s expectations for inflation over the next 12 months has held at their lowest level in more than four years, in sharp contrast to a recent rise in market expectations, Bank of England data has revealed. Average expectations for inflation over the next 12 months remained at 2.7 per cent – the joint-lowest reading since August 2016 alongside [...]
FTSE closes higher and Wall St bounds ahead on $1.9 trillion US stimulus package March 11, 2021 The FTSE 100 pushed slightly higher today as final confirmation of a bumper $1.9 trillion US stimulus package cheered investors. The blue-chip index was up 0.17 per cent at 6,736 points by market close, while the domestically-focused FTSE 250 pushed 0.59 per cent higher. Mining stocks such as Rio Tinto, Anglo American and BHP Group, [...]
Government looks at widening review into financial markets March 11, 2021 The government is planning to widen its review into financial markets as it looks to boost London’s prospects after Brexit. John Glen, economic secretary to the Treasury, said the government is reviewing financial rules to include regulations on market structure, transparency rules and commodities. It comes just a week after Lord Hill’s review into stock [...]
BP makes almost $4bn from energy trading as oil demand wanes March 11, 2021 BP’s trading division is said to have made almost $4bn (£2.8bn) last year as the oil major weathered the impact of the pandemic on oil demand. The blue-chip giant’s trading profit was only just short of the record amount of slightly over $4bn it made in 2019, according to internal documents seen by Reuters. Trading [...]
London Metal Exchange to take steps to improve electronic pricing during ring closure March 10, 2021 The London Metal Exchange today said it would change its electronic closing price system to make it more efficient while its iconic trading ring remains shut. The bourse said the move was separate to plans to consult on closing the ring as part of moves to modernise its trading system. Plans to improve the market’s [...]
Branson backs New York-listed SPAC aiming to raise $500m March 10, 2021 No stranger to the Spac phenomenon taking equity markets by storm, Richard Branson is backing another New York-listed blank-cheque vehicle. Virgin Group Acquisition Corp III is looking to raise as much as $500m through a public listing, according to a regulatory filing published on Tuesday. Founded by Branson the company will be led by Josh [...]
GameStop shares tumble just as meme stock passes $300 March 10, 2021 Shares in GameStop have tumbled back to $242, after rising to more than $300 per share earlier today, nearing their all-time high. The latest GameStop rally is said to be based on company fundamentals and speculation that small investors will pour their stimulus packages into markets. After a strong few days the stock has dropped [...]
How Asian stock markets shook off the pandemic March 10, 2021 | City Talk It seems ancient history now, but 2020 opened with a high degree of optimism for Asian markets. True, valuations were no more than reasonable given the share price gains of the previous twelve months, but conditions appeared favourable and there was a widespread consensus on a global economic recovery and a strong year ahead for [...]
FTSE 100 opens lower as inflation worries weigh March 10, 2021 The FTSE 100 opened lower this morning as market momentum slowed following a tech-fuelled rally on Wall Street last night and inflation worries weighed on investors. London’s blue-chip index dipped 0.21 per cent to 6,715 points shortly after markets opened. The domestically focused FTSE 250 was marginally down. It came on the back of a [...]