US recession risk spikes amid trade war and consumer spending slowdown March 10, 2019 The risk of a recession in the US has shot up thanks in large part to weak consumer demand, a report has warned. The likelihood of a fall in GDP in two successive quarters spiked to 73 per cent from just 24 per cent in December, according to a report from economists at Swiss bank UBS. A [...]
FTSE 100 risers and fallers: Index dips amid fears over global growth March 8, 2019 The FTSE 100 index slipped 0.7 per cent today driven by a plunge in gambling company GVC's shares and poor Chinese export data that has sparked fears over global growth. GVC led the day’s fallers with its share price 13.82 per cent down after dropping as low as 18 per cent earlier in the day after its chief [...]
Chinese exports suffer biggest drop in three years amid US-China trade war March 8, 2019 Chinese exports fell at their fastest rate in three years last month as fears grow about the world’s second largest economy. Read more: China backs Huawei's bid to sue United States The US-China trade war sent exports to a 20.7 per cent year-on-year drop, official data revealed, as imports fell 5.2 per cent. Markets reacted [...]
Two analyst downgrades take big chunk out of Rio Tinto shares as iron prices set to drop March 7, 2019 Rio Tinto weighed on the London exchange today after the miner was hit by two analyst downgrades in two days, wiping around £4bn off its market value. Shares dropped around 7.6 per cent in the mid afternoon to 4,137p as Societe Generale advised investors to sell their shares in the iron miner. Read more: Iron ore [...]
Chinese telecoms giant Huawei sues US government after federal equipment ban in wake of spying claims March 7, 2019 Chinese mobile phone giant Huawei has sued the US government, saying a law introduced in August which limits its US business is unconstitutional. The embattled telecoms maker filed a complaint in a federal court in Texas on Thursday against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), part of which prevents federal agencies and their contractors from [...]
There are plenty of reasons for investors to be optimistic about China March 6, 2019 Since the election of Donald Trump, one story has dominated global markets news: the trade war between China and the US. As negotiations reached a critical phase last month, markets fluctuated as setbacks led to breakthroughs, only for talks to stall again. But while investors are right to worry about currents of protectionism in the world’s [...]
Lord Rothschild warns on market volatility after ‘difficult and treacherous year’ for investors March 5, 2019 Last year was the “most difficult and treacherous year for investors” in a decade, Lord Rothschild said today as his investment trust RIT Capital Partners reported shrinking net asset value. The company said Net Asset Value (NAV) per share was 1,821p in the year to the end of December 2018, down from 1,839p the previous [...]
Europe cannot afford to return to the failed policies of the past March 4, 2019 I am not one to argue for policies of centralisation. I am a great believer in the principle of subsidiarity as a practical reality rather than as empty words in a treaty. Nevertheless, there are areas where Europe is better served by acting as one. One such area is competition policy, where Europe has to [...]
Jaguar Land Rover could announce fresh round of UK investment in early March despite industry turmoil March 2, 2019 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly planning to buck the trend of car makers fleeing the UK by making a major investment in British advanced manufacturing. The manufacturer, which is owned by Indian firm Tata, reportedly said fresh investment in the UK was imminent, and an announcement could come in early March. Read more: Tata Motors’ [...]
Why the Fourth Industrial Revolution may create beach hotspots for investors February 27, 2019 The Industrial Revolution resulted in a rail network that has influenced real estate values ever since. Now the Fourth Industrial Revolution is driving the latest wave of value creation – for certain beach locations. Our focus on this blog is on identifying the shifting fortunes of global cities. Part of this involves careful analysis of [...]