With diverging monetary policy and more political uncertainty, should investors expect 2017 to be the year that growth makes a comeback? January 3, 2017 This year is being heralded as a new dawn for markets. The economic malaise which has dogged developed economies since the financial crisis will finally subside; the battle against deflation has been won; fiscal stimulus is firmly on the agenda, and real growth will return. Such optimistic assessments may prove to be on the money. [...]
Eurozone stocks start 2017 with a bang as share rally rolls on January 3, 2017 Eurozone stocks started 2017 with a bang yesterday after manufacturing data showed the biggest ramp-up in production across the bloc for five years. Germany’s Dax closed up one per cent to 11,598.33 points, its highest level in almost 17 months, while France’s Cac 40 closed up 0.4 per cent to 4,882.38 points. The rise continues a [...]
The FTSE 100 finished the year at another all-time high December 30, 2016 It's been another record-breaking day for the FTSE 100, which finished the year today at another all-time high. Britain's bluechip index rose to 7142.83 points, 0.3 per cent higher, after a last-minute rally before it closed on today's shortened trading day. The index has twice closed at record highs this week, finishing above 7,120 points yesterday [...]
Another day, another record close for the FTSE 100 December 29, 2016 The FTSE 100 just about managed to close above yesterday's all-time high flat on a day of thin trading. The index closed at 7,120 points, led higher by gold miners as the yellow metal rallied during yet another session, with Randgold Resources rising 4.7 per cent to 6,402p, while Fresnillo rose 4.4 per cent to 1,220p However, engineering [...]
Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude prices hold steady as US stockpile increase interrupts oil rally December 29, 2016 Oil prices steadied today after a surprise uplift in US crude stockpiles impeded a recent upward trend that has pushed global benchmarks to 15-month highs. Brent crude was up 16 cents, or 0.3 per cent, today to $56.38 a barrel after industry data released by the American Petroleum Institute last night showed a 4.2m barrel [...]
Investment trust winners of 2016 December 29, 2016 | City Talk Investment trusts focused on Asia are on course to deliver some of the best returns in 2016, according to data for trust sectors. Investment trusts are an alternative to more commonly held open-ended funds or unit trusts, offering some advantages. This is explained here: investment trust v open-ended funds Here, we look at the performance [...]
FTSE 100 surpasses 2016 highest point to close at record high as miners drive end-of-year gains December 28, 2016 The FTSE 100 surpassed its record highest close on Wednesday as investors started returning to their desks after the Christmas break. London’s blue chip index was one of the top performing indices worldwide as mining stocks drove it above its highest previous close to reach 7,106.08 points. That beat the 7103.98 point close set in April 2015. Sterling's continued [...]
Oil prices: Brent crude slips below $55 a barrel as stronger dollar and expected Libya output increase weigh on market December 23, 2016 There's been little Christmas cheer for oil today, with Brent crude has slipping below $55 a barrel after a stronger US dollar and higher estimated oil output from Libya weighed on the market. The global benchmark has slipped 0.54 per cent to $54.74 a barrel, while US sweet crude is down 0.59 per cent to $52.64. [...]
Are world stockmarkets good value going into 2017? December 22, 2016 | City Talk Global stock markets have seen a turbulent year, but surprised many with the resilience shown after the Brexit vote and the US presidential election result. Both the US and UK markets are significantly ahead of where they started the year, as is Japan, although Europe – which faces a series of major elections in 2017 [...]
Monte dei Paschi shares swing wildly as bailout fails but FTSE 100 and Europe shares flat December 22, 2016 Shares in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) were swinging wildly on Thursday as investors digested the news that the Italian bank is set for a government bailout. Shares were suspended after steep falls. They closed at €16.30 on Wednesday, but traded at lows of €14.71 after opening at €15.00. However, they then recovered quickly [...]