Gold falls to a near six-year low on strong dollar and expectations for a US interest rate rise in December November 27, 2015 Gold slipped to its lowest level in nearly six years today, as it headed for its sixth straight weekly decline. The precious metal has come under pressure from a strong dollar and heightened expectations that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade at its meeting in December. Spot [...]
Turkey shoots down Russian plane: Investors seek safety after Vladimir Putin’s strong remarks November 25, 2015 Vladimir Putin’s strong worded remarks following the downing of a Russian jet along the Turkish-Syrian border saw investors turn to safe havens and caused market jitters yesterday. The Russian President called Turkey’s actions a "stab in the back" and accused the country of being an "accomplice of terrorists". Putin, whose country has close economic ties [...]
Fed interest rate hike decision: Why I’m long the dollar – whatever history says November 23, 2015 With the US Federal Reserve expected to raise rates for the first time since 2004 next month, should every man and his dog be long dollar? Or is this a good example of a “buy the rumour, sell the news” rally? Looking at the statistics of the eight Fed rate hike cycles since 1971, [...]
US interest rates: Markets are prepared for a Fed rate hike – eToro Tips & Picks November 23, 2015 The markets are absorbing the likelihood that the Fed will raise US interest rates next month, reducing investor uncertainty. All eyes are now on the ECB and the Bank of Japan, which are seeking to stimulate economic growth. Mario Draghi announced on Friday that he is determined to increase inflation. This could involve expanding the [...]
Twitter is reacting to #Brusselslockdown with pictures of cats – and Belgian police have thanked users for doing it November 23, 2015 Brussels has entered its third day of being on lockdown over fears of a Paris-style terror attack, meaning the metro is closed, schools have been shut and businesses advised to tell staff to stay at home. Authorities have also asked that people do not update social media with sightings of police as they carry out [...]
Thanksgiving, Black Friday 2015 and GDP in US – New York Report November 22, 2015 US markets will be closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday and Friday will be a half-session day, so expect a relatively quiet week. That said, there is still plenty going on with the yearly Black Friday shopping tradition set to blow the doors off most retailers on Friday. Online retail giant Amazon will be [...]
FTSE 100 finishes best week since early October as miners continue to make gains November 20, 2015 The FTSE 100 clocked its best week since early October, ending the day up 0.07 per cent at 6,334.63 points, up from 6118.28 at last week's close and holding firm in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. The index has been helped this week by the prospect of a Fed rate rise looking more likely [...]
FTSE 100 boosted by Fed and ECB policy minutes – London Report November 20, 2015 The London market soared yesterday, pushed higher by stronger than forecast results at Royal Mail and more signals of an interest rate rise from the US. The blue-chip index closed up 0.8 per cent at 6,329.93, its fourth consecutive day of gains. The minutes of the policy-setting Fed committee, released after the close on Wednesday, [...]
What’s going to happen to the economy in 2016? From persistently low oil prices to improved global growth, here are Goldman Sachs’ top 10 market themes November 19, 2015 Economists at Goldman Sachs have just released what they believe will be the 10 biggest economic themes of 2016. Here they are: 1. Global growth, more stable than it looks. The Goldman economists believe global growth is bottoming out this year at 3.2 per cent and expect it to accelerate to 3.6 per cent next year. [...]
Think Nick Clegg’s fee is steep? Here’s how much former Presidents, Prime Ministers and central bankers make on the after-dinner speaking circuit November 19, 2015 Leading politicians may not earn as much as top entrepreneurs or chief executives while they are in office, but their influence and expertise sure do make for a pleasant afterlife. Last week former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg joined the ranks of those making a post-politics income from their experiences. And while Clegg was mocked [...]