FTSE 100 index opens lower as concerns over the Chinese economy persist January 11, 2016 The FTSE 100 index opened lower today as fears over the state of the Chinese economy lingered on. The UK's blue-chip index fell 0.34 per cent to 5,891 points, led lower by oil companies and miners (again). The news followed another fall in Chinese markets, after weak inflation data was published over the weekend. "It feels as though [...]
Another bloodbath on Chinese markets as shares finish lower after weak inflation data January 11, 2016 Shares on Chinese markets fell again today, with the Shanghai Composite falling 5.33 per cent, while the Shenzhen Composite finished 6.6 per cent lower, after weak inflation data from over the weekend. That pushed Hong Kong's Hang Seng down 2.47 per cent, closing at 19,949 points – the first time it has fallen below 20,000 since 2013. [...]
After one of the worst starts to a year on record, will 2016 prove a poor year for stock markets? January 11, 2016 Paul Markham, Newton’s global equities portfolio manager, says YES For equities overall, it is clearly too early to tell whether a bad start to the year is a sign that 2016 will be challenging. However, it is true that leadership of markets in recent months has been ever narrower, with a small number of large-cap stocks [...]
Deal spree to provide relief to the City with Shire on verge of tie-up with Baxalta January 11, 2016 A string of mega deals is set to provide welcome relief to the City after a rocky start to the year saw £85bn wiped off the value of the UK’s biggest firms in the first trading week of 2016. London-listed pharmaceutical giant Shire is on the verge of inking a £22bn deal with US rival Baxalta, [...]
Star Wars: The Force Awakens becomes third biggest film ever after $53m opening weekend in China January 10, 2016 Star Wars: The Force Awakens made $53m (£37m) in ticket sales on its first weekend in China, making it the third highest-grossing film globally in history, according to Walt Disney Studio estimates. The film was also the highest-grossing ever to hit Chinese screens. Globally, it has raked in $1.73bn, overtaking Jurassic World's $1.67bn haul. It [...]
At the close: FTSE 100 index falls further to cap off a bad week January 8, 2016 The FTSE 100 index fell again on Friday, finishing just under 6,000 to cap off a bad week, as concerns over the Chinese economy continued to weigh. "A turbulent start to 2016 has seen investors adopting the brace position, as a combination of factors have driven global markets lower," Richard Hunter, head of equities at Hargreaves Lansdown, said. "With [...]
FTSE 100 index remains under 6,000 mark as fears over the Chinese economy linger January 8, 2016 After the FTSE 100 index faltered in late morning trading, it has rebounded back towards the gains it made at the open – but still remains below the 6,000 mark. The rebound comes as concerns over weakness in the Chinese economy continue to weigh on European markets. The UK's blue-chip index rose 0.44 per cent to 5,979 points in early afternoon [...]
Five factors behind this week’s Chinese stock turmoil January 8, 2016 Chinese shares had a tumultuous start to the new year with the benchmark CSI 100 index closing down 10 per cent. So what were the main factors behind the turbulence? The slowing Chinese economy China is trying to move away from export-led growth towards a more sustainable, domestic consumption-led economic model. Nevertheless, fears over the pace of its [...]
The yuan and dollar currency cross must devalue significantly January 8, 2016 At least two large and previously successful hedge funds have recently closed, citing as reasons the breakdown of their crystal balls and interestingly blamed on the growth of algorithmic trading. We argue differently. What is making investing hard is that global flows are increasingly dominated by the two major economies: the US and China. The [...]
Chinese shares rise two per cent after day of volatile trading – but end the week 10 per cent down January 8, 2016 Chinese shares closed mixed today, ending a week of volatile trading, following mounting fears over the pace of the country's economic slowdown. After a day of wild swings, China's Shanghai composite index closed up 1.97 per cent at 3,186.41 points. Meanwhile, the Shenzhen composite index ended the day 1.05 per cent higher at 1,978.721 points. The CSI 300 index, tracking [...]