US Federal Reserve opts to hold interest rates in strong labour market May 1, 2019 The US Federal Reserve said today it was not raising interest rates, citing a strong labour market with solid economic activity. The Fed said it would maintain its target rate at 2.25 to 2.5 per cent. It said the labour market remains strong and economic activity rose at a “solid rate”. It said job gains have [...]
Your guide to US results season Q1 2019 April 30, 2019 By Jemma Jackson from interactive investor. Home or away? interactive investor comment as US earnings season kicks off ahead of expectations So far, the news has been generally positive, with banks having noted an improvement in Net Interest Margins (the difference between the rate at which they borrow and lend). Industrials have also provided a [...]
US inflation cools in March, adding to pressures on Federal Reserve April 29, 2019 The US inflation rate fell in March, the latest official figures have revealed, in a development that will keep the pressure on the Federal Reserve to hold back from raising interest rates. Read more: Analysts expect outward looking Fed to keep rates on hold The core annual inflation rate fell to 1.6 per cent in [...]
What role does the state play in corporate governance? April 29, 2019 What do the recent corporate governance scandals involving the Italian oil company Eni, the Franco-Japanese auto alliance Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, and the Canadian construction giant SNC-Lavalin all have in common? They each have a surprising culprit lurking behind them: the state. While corporate governance is intended to describe a system by which firms protect shareholder and stakeholder [...]
The coming squeeze on US profits April 24, 2019 Progress on US-China trade talks has seen investors’ concerns about a trade war fade, and be replaced instead by worries about economic growth and politic risks. The real concern for equity investors, ultimately, is how slower growth will be reflected in company profits. In 2018 markets were driven by stronger corporate earnings, but share prices [...]
A year of two halves? April 23, 2019 Alex Crooke, Fund Manager of the Bankers Investment Trust, explains how the team is preparing for a different investment landscape in the second half of 2019. It’s in our nature as fund managers to continually contemplate about the future, but the level and scope of uncertainty facing investors today is almost unprecedented. What’s disappointing is [...]
Manchester City 4-3 Tottenham: Fernando Llorente and VAR the unlikely heroes on historic night for Spurs April 17, 2019 Manchester City’s dream of a quadruple is dead. And how. Amid an electric Etihad Stadium atmosphere, in a drama-packed, see-sawing Champions League classic it was one familiar hero – Son Heung-min – and two not so familiar ones – Fernando Llorente and the video assistant referee – who combined to give Mauricio Pochettino a night [...]
Munster looking to break their semi-final curse against Saracens in the European Cup April 17, 2019 Steeped in history, with a rich European pedigree and where passion for the game cannot be bested – giants of club rugby don’t come much bigger than Ireland’s Munster. But when they face Saracens on Saturday in the Champions Cup semi-final they will not only be burdened with their fans’ expectations but also the knowledge [...]
Barclays boss Jes Staley says Bramson board bid ‘doesn’t make sense’ due to £500m ‘short’ position April 10, 2019 Barclays boss Jes Staley has said activist investor Ed Bramson’s board bid “just doesn’t make sense” as he effectively holds a £500m short position against the bank. Speaking on CNBC, Staley delivered another comprehensive rejection of the US-based investor’s efforts to win a seat on the board. Read more: Activist investor Ed Bramson ramps up [...]
Alec Baldwin says beating Trump in 2020 presidential race would be ‘so easy’ April 9, 2019 Actor Alec Baldwin has tweeted that he could easily beat President Donald Trump in the 2020 race for the White House. Read more: Trump says economy would 'rocket' if Fed cut rates Baldwin, who has impersonated Trump multiple times on Saturday Night Live since the 2016 election, told his 1.11m followers the victory would be [...]