Poor start of the month for global markets: April weakness rolls into May with China lockdowns not helping May 3, 2022 Asia markets got off to a poor start to the month yesterday, as did markets in Europe after the latest China PMIs showed that economic activity in April fell back by more than expected. Much was made of the slowdown in China manufacturing to 47.4 from 49.5, however non-manufacturing saw an even bigger fall, plunging [...]
Avocado price skyrockets to highest in two decades as Mexican drug gangs feud March 30, 2022 The price of avocados has skyrocketed to its highest for two decades, in part due to feuding drug gangs in Mexico which is one of the main global suppliers. The cost of the crop rose after a United States safety inspector in the country was threatened, leading to an import ban from the state of [...]
UK markets: ‘Penny is dropping’ there will be no immediate ceasefire in Ukraine while focus shifts to Sunak’s ‘double whammy’ March 22, 2022 European markets underwent a subdued start to the week yesterday, with the FTSE100 outperforming on the back of another day of advances for crude oil prices, pushing the index to close at its highest level since 28 February. “The main reason for the move higher in oil prices was reports that the EU was considering [...]
Europe set to open higher as Bank of Japan keeps policy unchanged March 18, 2022 European and US stocks have continued to recover lost ground this week, despite there being little prospect of a ceasefire, or imminent cessation of hostilities, between Russia and Ukraine. “We did falter a little bit during the European trading session after the Kremlin poured cold water on reports of major progress on peace talks, calling [...]
Saturday Sitdown: Credit Suisse’s global investment boss on the dawn of a new world order March 5, 2022 The Russian invasion of Ukraine has accentuated geo-political risks, further fueling volatility on financial markets and unsettling investors. These developments mark a clear shift to a new world order, Michael Strobaek, Credit Suisse’s global chief investment officer, told City A.M. in an exclusive interview. “This new world order will make risk management as well as investing [...]
Shares nosedive across Europe as burning Ukrainian nuclear plant terrifies traders: FTSE lowest since October March 4, 2022 All major markets across Europe are reacting this morning with horror to the fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant amid shelling by Russia in the area. Although the situation is reportedly under control, stock indexes were down across the continent, with London’s top index, the FTSE 100, dropping to its lowest point since October [...]
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, [...]
Buckle up: Wild ride on Wall Street as rate rise talk spooks investors January 10, 2022 An explosive Goldman Sachs note triggered a day of drama on Wall Street today after the investment bank warned of as many as four US Fed rate rises in 2022 alone. The tech-heavy Nasdaq crashed by as much as 2.7 per cent in early trading, tipping it briefly into correction territory. A late rally saw [...]