Silver linings: Should investors look beyond gold for safe haven assets? September 4, 2018 When we think of a precious metal, it’s usually gold that springs to mind. While the yellow metal has a reputation for being a safe haven asset, far less attention is given to another valuable commodity: silver. Silver is often seen as gold’s poorer relation, but it still has qualities that give it “safe” status. [...]
Scottish Power announces its second price hike this year August 24, 2018 Scottish Power is to raise its energy prices from October, the second hike in a year. Prices for standard variable gas and electricity for those affected will rise by an average of 3.7 per cent. Almost a million homes supplied by the company are expected to be affected. The decision comes as a result of [...]
Premier Oil doubles profits as it eyes new North Sea project August 23, 2018 Premier Oil struck it rich with its half-yearly results today, posting a doubling of profits to almost $100m (£78m). Higher oil prices pushed the British energy firm’s profits after tax up from $40.7m in the first half of 2017 to $98.4m for the six months to the end of June this year. The company saw [...]
Last Week in the City: Trade fears re-emerge August 3, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (30 July to 3 August 2018). Interest rates were raised in the UK for the second time since the financial crisis, but the move was widely expected. The earnings season continued. Growth in all regions was [...]
Bank of England: Economists split as monetary policymakers set out into the unknown | City A.M. July 30, 2018 The Bank of England is widely expected to raise interest rates on Thursday, but the decision by the monetary policy committee (MPC) is likely to be one of the most controversial in recent memory. While most City observers now think rates will rise, economists are split as to whether hiking borrowing costs amid a weak [...]
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 [...]
Last Week in the City: Trade wars begin July 6, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (2 to 6 July 2018). The World Cup is “distracting” for participants in global markets, according to Citigroup. "We find that football is indeed distracting, subtly impacting market depth, traded volumes and execution cost,” the US [...]
Last Week in the City: Amazon buys a pharmacy June 29, 2018 Garry White, chief investment commentator, looks at the market-moving events that have shaped the UK equity markets this week (25 to 29 June 2018). The FTSE 100 traded little over the week, despite a rally in oil prices. There was more bad news from the retail sector after The John Lewis Partnership warned on profits [...]
Richard Branson says ban on diesel and petrol-fuelled cars should be brought forward to 2025 June 7, 2018 Richard Branson, a new pioneer of electric cars, has said the ban on petrol and diesel vehicles should be brought forward from 2040 to 2025. Speaking at a Formula E event, the tycoon said the UK should follow in the paths of environmentally friendly countries Norway and the Netherlands, who have a 2025 ban in [...]
City analysts say there’s more M&A activity on the horizon May 21, 2018 Equity markets nearing all-time record highs, interest rates still low and a weak pound have created a cauldron for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) that analysts anticipate continuing while current market conditions persist. Two FTSE 100 companies have already been acquired this year, a third looks set to go and with two more facing bids, 2018 [...]