Last Week in the City: August rate rise now less likely July 20, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (16 to 20 July 2018). The chances of an interest rate rise at the Bank of England’s August meeting appeared to recede this week after inflation data was more subdued than expected and retail sales data [...]
Why is this such a worried bull market? July 18, 2018 Normally bull markets are full of people who are optimistic. They radiate enthusiasm for economies and shares. They hunt down markets or individual stocks that look cheap compared to the rest and recommend them. They recommend simply buying the global or local market to join in a general uplift in shares they expect. Eventually you [...]
Trump backtracks on comments regarding Russian election interference | City A.M. July 17, 2018 US President Donald Trump did a swift U-turn in a meeting with members of Congress this evening, saying that he misspoke when he yesterday rejected the findings of US intelligence agencies into Russia’s interference with the 2016 election. Trump said that he had meant to say he saw no reason why Russia wouldn’t be responsible [...]
Oil bulls at risk of being complacent July 17, 2018 Crude oil prices have continued to struggle today with Brent prices trading near three month lows. Recent weakness in commodity prices appears to be starting to act as a bit of a drag on equity markets more broadly, with the current weakness in Brent crude oil suggesting contrary to some indications that we may well [...]
Trump blames Mueller probe for poor Russia relations as critics slam him for Putin performance | City A.M. July 17, 2018 US President Donald Trump blamed the US investigation into Russian meddling at the 2016 presidential election for poor relations with Russia last night. Speaking to Fox News after his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump described the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller as a “phony wedge” and a “phony witch hunt”, adding [...]
Putin admits he wanted President Trump to win the US election, as Trump attacks the FBI investigation into alleged Russian interference | City A.M. July 16, 2018 After a one-on-one meeting today in Helsinki, Russian President Putin admitted that he was rooting for Trump to win the 2016 US election, while both men denied any foreign interference in the election’s outcome. “I wanted Trump to win because he spoke about normalising Russian relations,” Putin said in a post-meeting press conference. He added [...]
World Cup 2018: Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane the biggest winners as England’s run in Russia boosts commercial appeal of key figures | City A.M. July 16, 2018 Even in defeat, there was an undeniable feel-good factor around England at the World Cup. Gareth Southgate and his team worked hard to cast aside the negativity of previous major tournaments and reach a first semi-final since 1990. And while their on-field exploits have seen them hailed as heroes, they could also lead to off-field [...]
Did marketers bring it home during the World Cup July 16, 2018 YESTERDAY’S final was an exciting finale to football’s greatest competition, even after the heartbreak of England losing last week’s semi-final. While France are this year’s champions, the Three Lions will have another shot at glory in four years’ time. This year’s tournament has sparked excitement in jaded fans like, well, myself. But while the football [...]
World Cup 2018: Did brands and advertisers score a hat-trick or an own goal? | City A.M. July 16, 2018 Yesterday’s final was an exciting conclusion to football’s greatest competition, even after the heartbreak of England losing last week’s semi-final. While France are this year’s champions, the Three Lions will have another shot at glory in four years’ time. This year’s tournament has sparked excitement in jaded fans like, well, myself. But while the football [...]
Donald Trump says US-Russia relations ‘never worse’ ahead of Helsinki meeting with Putin | City A.M. July 16, 2018 US President Donald Trump said today that US relations with Russia have “never been worse” ahead of his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki today. In a tweet this morning Trump blamed poor US-Russia relations on “many years of US foolishness and stupidity and now, the Rigged Witch Hunt!”- referring to special counsel [...]