With the FTSE 100 close to an all-time high, are UK markets heading for a fall? October 4, 2016 Jason Hollands, managing director of Tilney Bestinvest, says Yes. While it’s incredibly difficult to accurately call the top of a market, what we do know is that equities never rise relentlessly in a linear fashion, and the current bull market has run on for a very long time now, despite the headwinds of weak global growth [...]
United States earn their Ryder Cup stripes in defeat of Europe October 2, 2016 Europe captain Darren Clarke defended his tactics and insisted there was nothing he would do differently despite seeing his side surrender the Ryder Cup after slumping to a 17-11 defeat to the United States at Hazeltine. There was to be no repeat of the Miracle at Medinah. Starting the day with a three-point deficit, Europe [...]
US Presidential Election 2016: The German government is a little bit worried about Donald Trump October 1, 2016 Donald Trump's controversial bid for the White House has raised eyebrows across the world. But on the European side of the Atlantic, it's been largely a spectator sport as we struggle to understand the American psyche at the best of times (see #Tube_chat), let alone the Republican candidate, whose outrageous campaign techniques seem only to boost his support. However, [...]
Darren Clarke opts for experience as he announces Europe’s pairings for Friday’s opening foursomes matches September 29, 2016 Europe captain Darren Clarke has opted for experience as he announced the pairings for this morning’s opening foursomes matches which will kickstart his side’s bid for an unprecedented fourth straight Ryder Cup victory. All six players with Ryder Cup experience will feature, although Clarke’s final pairing provided the biggest surprise as Belgium’s Thomas Pieters will partner [...]
As the Opec cartel agrees to cut oil production, should central banks prepare for a rise in inflation? September 29, 2016 David Morrison, senior market strategist at Spread Co, says Yes. Crude soared on Opec’s announcement not just to freeze, but to actually cut production. Yet the upside momentum appears to have petered out for now. No wonder, given the lack of detail over who will bear the brunt of the proposed cuts and uncertainty concerning a [...]
US economy set to feast out on super-size food exports September 29, 2016 The US economy is set to come roaring back to life in the second half of the year on the back of a bumper summer food harvest. Figures out this afternoon showed the world's largest economy grew by 1.4 per cent on an annualised basis in the second quarter of the year – a slight upwards [...]
Wells Fargo chief executive forfeits millions in wake of internal investigation into fake accounts September 28, 2016 Two leading Wells Fargo executives have agreed to forfeit $60m (£46m) over the ongoing bank account scandal as Janet Yellen came under pressure to order a break-up of the lender. Chief executive John Stumpf will forego shares worth $41m and Carrie Tolstedt, the former head of the retail division, will miss out on $19m of shares after the company board [...]
Is Donald Trump right that the US economy is in “a big, fat, ugly bubble”? September 27, 2016 Neil MacKinnon, global macro strategist at VTB Capital, says Yes. US financial markets are in a bubble, courtesy of the Fed’s long-running ultra-easy monetary policy. Equity markets are at record highs and at extreme valuations, even though US corporates are still in a profits recession. Credit markets are exhibiting 2007-style excess leverage and commercial real estate [...]
Darren Clarke’s presence as Europe captain an added Ryder Cup motivation for former world No1 Rory McIlroy September 27, 2016 Former world No1 Rory McIlroy insists the presence of fellow Northern Irishman Darren Clarke as Europe captain has imbued him with additional motivation for this week’s Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, which starts on Friday. Four-time Major winner McIlroy, who claimed the $10m FedEx Cup prize money on Sunday with victory at the Tour Championship, credits [...]
US consumer confidence hits nine-year high September 27, 2016 Consumer confidence has hit a nine-year high in the US just six weeks before the country will elect its next President. According to The Conference Board, optimism jumped to 104.1, its highest level since the recession, from 101.8 one month ago, on an index where 100 represents the long-term average. Analysts had expected the index would dip [...]