Uncertain week ahead: Nervous markets hold their breath as Ukraine-Russia tensions reach boiling point February 14, 2022 Despite Friday’s weakness European markets still managed to finish the week higher, with the FTSE100 finishing higher for the second week in a row. For US markets it was a week of two halves, with a decent first half undermined by two days of sharp losses, which were prompted by an unexpectedly hot January CPI [...]
Upbeat investors are knocking on February’s door after end of month rebound January 31, 2022 After a wild and turbulent week, which saw European markets close lower for the third week in succession, and US markets hit seven-month lows, before closing the week higher, January has been a month which has proved to be hugely challenging to define a narrative for more than a day. While markets in Europe [...]
Today’s Fed meeting: ‘Officials are behind the curve when it comes to dealing with inflation risk’ January 26, 2022 Markets’ main focus is set to be on today’s Fed meeting, and the messaging that is expected to layout the rate path for the rest of the year, starting with a widely expected 0.25 per cent March rate hike. “Last month’s Fed meeting saw the central bank accelerate its tapering program to $30bn a month, [...]
Omicron: what’s the current picture? January 24, 2022 | City Talk The Omicron wave appears to have peaked in some countries, with the UK preparing to loosen restrictions. Mark Ainsworth, Head of the Schroders Data Insights Unit, explains what to expect next. The Omicron variant has spread rapidly since its initial detection last year but hasn’t been as severe as initially feared in terms of health [...]
Morning snapshot: Your Daily Dose of pre-market news January 10, 2022 It’s Monday 10 January. Here is a quick overview of the stories that are making headlines this morning in the UK and around the world. UK POLITICS Cladding: Developers must agree a £4 billion plan to fix dangerous cladding on low-rise flats by early March or risk new laws forcing them to act, Housing Secretary [...]
Markets suffer losses after Boris Johnson’s Omicron warnings December 13, 2021 The FTSE 100 was flat on Monday amid heightened domestic concerns over the Omicron variant and warnings from Boris Johnson of a 'tidal wave' of cases.
Omicron optimism: Covid anxiety attack on the financial markets shows signs of alleviating November 29, 2021 The anxiety attack on the financial markets shows signs of alleviating, as investors pause for breath and spot signs of optimism while scientists race to establish the severity of the new variant. The FTSE 100 opened up 1 per cent in early trading, recovering some of Friday’s dramatic losses and the FTSE 250 was 1.5 [...]
Markets digest Omicron: After worst equity day of the year on Friday, we are in for a bumpy ride this week November 29, 2021 The wider question with respect to Friday’s market collapse and the worst day for equity markets this year, as well as the 13 fall in oil prices, is not so much as to whether it was justified or not, but whether it marks a sea change in market sentiment when it comes to the economic [...]
Treasury makes £1.5bn from pandemic stock market frenzy October 28, 2021 Next year, the Treasury is expected to make £1.5bn from stamp duty taxes on shares, as a result of the pandemic stock market frenzy, which saw many first-time investors put money into the market, the Evening Standard reported. While this year duty taxes on shares were £800m higher than £3.4bn that was initially forecast by [...]
No more new homes: housebuilding market will not recover before 2026 October 18, 2021 The UK housebuilding market will not recover until 2026, said property agent firm Savills. As reported by the Times, Savills has estimated that the volume of houses being built will not go back to pre-pandemic levels before five years and, even then, will still be 20 per cent less than the UK Government’s targets of [...]