Cold weather sees huge US growth miss in first quarter April 30, 2014 US growth has ground to what is nearly a halt. At an annualised 0.1 per cent in the first quarter, GDP growth is well below the 1.2 per cent analysts were expecting. Clearly the weather is colder than we thought. The US grew at an annualised rate of 2.6 per cent in the last quarter [...]
What you need to know before the open April 30, 2014 A slightly lower open is expected in Europe this morning, as earnings results continue to come in and investors look to economic data from both sides of the Atlantic. Growth data from the US could well show a weaker number after the freezing winter, and after that we’ve for the Federal Reserve’s rate decision. A [...]
Asian markets fluctuate before Fed policy decision April 30, 2014 Asian markets switched between gains and losses after earnings reports gave a boost to Wall Street and the Bank of Japan (BoJ) left policy unchanged. However, investors held back in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's decision on monetary policy. The Fed is widely expected to continue tapering of its bond-buying programme. Few investors believed the [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 29, 2014 US stocks futures pointed to a higher opening today, following some better-than-expected corporate results. European markets have continued to received a lift from positive earnings reports and news of mergers. A two-day Fed policy meeting begins later today, with expectations that a decision will be taken to taper for a fourth time. The increase in [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 28, 2014 US stocks futures have been buoyed by the slew of M&A activity we’ve seen today, suggesting markets will following European counterparts at the open. European stocks are still being lifted by announced deals, with AstraZeneca still the biggest mover on the FTSE, keeping the index near seven-week highs. Meanwhile, President Obama’s announced further sanctions against [...]
What you need to know before the open April 28, 2014 European markets are expected lower this morning, hit by further sanctions being set out by G7 nations against Russia. Officials have accused Russia of deliberately exacerbating the current situation in Ukraine. Further travel restrictions and asset freezes on a further 15 individuals are expected to be imposed by the EU today. The lift markets got [...]
The hidden costs of low interest rates are hurting the economy April 24, 2014 WE ALL know the dangers of high interest rates: borrowers end up having to fork out more, some people and companies with high amounts of debt will go bust, and the reduced disposable incomes and profits hit economic growth. But a policy of permanently low interest rates comes with its own distortions and risks. UK [...]
US Corporate results round up April 24, 2014 Massive car recall hurts General Motors profit General Motors said yesterday that first-quarter profit tumbled 88 per cent after a massive recall due to defective ignition switches, but results still topped expectations on strong pricing for its redesigned pickup trucks in North America and improvement overseas. The company said its core operating outlook remained on [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 22, 2014 Futures have stayed flat in the US, despite the pharma-driven gains seen this side of the pond and Netflix jumping on its earnings report. The Ukraine crisis continues to trim investor risk sentiment, and the euro’s dipped to a two-week low against the dollar, ahead of manufacturing data from France and Germany later this week. [...]
What you need to know before the open April 22, 2014 A higher open for European markets is expected this morning, following the S&P 500 posting its best winning streak so far this year. With markets over here closed yesterday, it finished higher for the fifth day in a row. Investor focus will likely be on the latest earnings reports from companies both sides of the [...]