The Lowdown on Markets to 21st April 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Geo-political events in Syria and North Korea make way for the French election Global markets adopt a cautious stance ahead of European political developments Macron and Le Pen win the first round of voting and so […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 7th April 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The US launches a missile attack on a Syrian airbase after Syria’s chemical attack. Russia’s president Putin condemns the US action saying Russian-US relations damaged. The US and Chinese presidents hold talks in Florida with North […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 31st March 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global stock markets record yet another strong quarter helped by the Trump trade. Equally the US President fails to gain sufficient support for his healthcare reforms. Over the quarter the emerging markets outperform those of the developed. […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 24th March 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Equity markets wobble over pace of US reforms with Obamacare taking centre stage. The S&P 500 Index records its biggest one day fall since October as the Vix Index rises. Europe, Asia and the emerging markets still […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 17th March 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The Federal Reserve Bank raises rates by 0.25% but remains dovish on future rate hikes. In the UK the Bank of England votes to keep interest rates unchanged. In Europe the financial markets act favourably to […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 10th March 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue The global economy has started 2017 with strong momentum and conviction. In the US the latest non-farm payroll figures support the recovery within their economy. Even in Europe the ECB president, Mario Draghi, seems to have become […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 3rd March 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Whilst global markets adopt a wary stance, Wall Street hits a new peak. President Trump addresses Congress, whilst Fed chair, Janet Yellen, talks hawkishly. So far this year the developing markets continue to out-perform those of the […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 24th February 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The bull market remains intact as we edge nearer to its eight year anniversary in March. Clearly, the most important thing to watch for is valuations especially in certain markets. Equally stocks still look cheaper than […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 17th February 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Financial markets continue to rise but a note of caution might be evident The “Trump trade” and “Trumponomics” remains the key driver to daily market moves Clearly the US economy is recovering but growth remains modest […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 10th February 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Global equity markets continue to react positively to Trumponomics Wall Street’s Dow Jones Industrial and Nasdaq Composite trade at all-time peaks. Investors pile into junk bonds on promises of a phenomenal announcement in US taxes. Share […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 3rd February 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity and bond markets continue to rise but maybe the “Trump trade” is fading. The Fed and the White House seem poles apart on their future strategy forecasts. Transatlantic accord between the US and Germany seems […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 27th January 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The US president completes his first week in the Oval office declaring his intent. Trade protectionism, immigration, Obamacare, and infrastructure are on the agenda. UK Prime Minister, Theresa May meets US President Donald Trump at the […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 20th January 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   “America First” was the pledge given by President Trump in his inaugural speech. President Trump’s proposed policies will now try and re-shape the US and its economy. Market watchers and the media will now focus on […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 13th January 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets continue to rise aided by the Trump trade and the financial sector President Barack Obama makes his farewell speech to the US citizens and the world We are now on the cusp of change […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 6th January 2017 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Throughout 2016 global investors had to endure a roller coaster ride from the markets. UK Investors with a global asset allocation benefitted from the depreciation in sterling. Both Brexit and the US Presidential Election acted as a […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 17th December 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets continue to Rally from the Trump effect and the Santa Claus Rally. Wall Street records yet more highs whilst the US dollar hits a 14-year high. The FTSE 100 Index closes above 7,000 securing […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 9th December 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   This year will be heralded as the year when populism and nationalism flexed its muscles. Unequivocally, this was a “November to remember” with a probable path of change. Wall Street continues to climb from the euphoria […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 11th November 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Donald Trump triumphs in the US presidential election after lagging in the polls. This result reverberated around the world giving the markets a few days of volatility. We have seen two election shocks this year with Brexit […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 4th November 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Markets suffer a “Brexit moment” as woes mount over the US presidential election. Cash levels rise as investors take a more risk adverse stance ahead of important events. A UK High Court hearing rules that parliament should […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 21st October 2016 World Markets at a Glance     In this week’s issue Divergence across central banks continues to provide markets with directional issues. In Europe the ECB gives a non-committal statement on their QE programme extension. Equally, the Federal Reserve Bank is holding back from any interest rate […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 14th October 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Chinese economic data and US corporate earnings keep equity markets cheerful. The FTSE 100 Index continues to rally on the back of continued sterling weakness. Britain is the country of preference for overseas tourists and exporting companies. […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 7th October 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Sterling has another bad day at the office as woes return over comments on Brexit. The FTSE 100 Index rallies on benefits that UK earners will get from a weaker pound. UK investors seeking income get […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 30th September 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Global markets respond to the news about Deutsche Bank and contagion fears. Clearly worries about Germany’s biggest lender were identified by the IMF back in June. At present the banks liquidity is not an issue but […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 23rd September 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The Federal Reserve Bank hold interest rates at their current level but hikes are looming. The BoJ leaves interest rates unchanged but decide to tweak and cap bond purchases. Both the Fed and BoJ are watching […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 16th September 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Global equity and bond markets continue to react to central bank policy triggers. If the Fed raises rates in September will the markets over react creating a flash crash? Have the authorities begun to focus more […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 9th September World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity and bond markets stutter as impending monetary policies become blurred. In Europe the ECB avoid giving the markets any real forward guidance on future actions. The Federal Reserve Bank continues to ponder over the timing for […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 2nd September 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Whilst the Fed continues to talk about raising short-term rates will that happen this year Another disappointing month for US jobs could discourage the Fed in taking any action Both global equity and bond markets continue to […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 26th August 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Fed chair, Janet Yellen, says there is a case for an increase in short-term interest rates. The customary caveat is that any decision would depend on further positive data. When the interest rate trigger is pulled […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 19th August 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Global equity markets experience a mixed week seemingly correlated to the oil pullback. The markets will now focus on Janet Yellen and the forthcoming Jackson Hole seminar. A positive surprise in the UK retail sales figures […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 12th August 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   The Bank of England’s latest bond buying programme suffers from liquidity issues. Fears mount for the pension fund industry as gilt yields touch negative territory. Wall Street’s three leading equity market indices hit simultaneous highs. Disappointing […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 5th August 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Central banks continue to offer their support through additional QE and monetary policy The governor of the Bank of England delivers a stark warning followed by more stimulus In the US the latest jobs numbers shocks […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 29th July 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue The bull market remains intact but is showing some signs of fatigue. August can be an unpredictable month for markets but the trend is still your friend. The Bank of Japan latest stimulative measures disappoints the markets. […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 22nd July 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets are starting to show some signs of fatigue but the trend is still up. The driving force behind the markets rests with Wall Street as the S&P hits new high. The European Central Bank […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 15th July 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets continue to nudge higher supported by central bank policies. Better-than-expected US economic data and Chinese GDP growth figure help the cause. Low interest rates and bond yields sees demand for income intensify. Whilst sterling […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 8th July 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets have become very unpredictable buoyed up by central banks. Every week the capital markets continue to set new records on huge sentiment swings. The question is asked “are both global equities and bonds now […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 1st July 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue   Global equity markets continue to rally on the post Brexit vote. The FTSE 100 Index records its best weekly performance since 2011 rising by over 7.0% Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, talks of further monetary […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 24th June 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue The British electorate votes to leave the European Union severing a 43-year membership The prime minister, David Cameron, steps down leaving others to negotiate with the EU A number of labour cabinet members resign doubting Jeremy Corbyn’s […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 17th June 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global investors remain cautious in the lead up to the European Referendum vote. The German 10-year benchmark bond dips into negative yield territory for the first time. Both the UK and US central banks keep interest rates […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 10th June 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue The “Brexit” polls show a notable 10 point lead over “Bremain” but are they reliable. Global equities, crude oil and industrial metal prices retreat as investors buy bonds. Government benchmark bond yields continue to fall as central […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 3rd June 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Weaker than expected US economic data dominates last week’s stock market moves. Negative yielding global government debt has now risen to over US$10.0 trillion. Likewise there is now US$380.0 billion worth of corporate bonds with sub-zero yields. […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 20th May 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue The markets begin to focus upon a possible change in the Feds monetary policy. Likewise, the polls still echo a tight outcome from the EU referendum. In the energy market the price of crude oil continues to […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 13th May 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Better-than-expected economic data seems to have been ignored by the equity markets so far. The global equity markets seem to be drifting and are lacking in any real direction. Money flows have seen a withdrawal out of […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 6th May 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets retreat to their lowest levels in the past three weeks. The latest US non-farm payroll numbers fall short and disappoint the markets. Any future US interest rate hikes are likely to be delayed until […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 29th April 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue Global equity markets suffer from corporate earnings frustrations and economic data. Whilst US corporate earnings numbers are mixed the technology sector disappoints. The latest US economic data dents investor confidence and leads to a broad sell-off. The […]

The Lowdown on Markets to 22nd April 2016 World Markets at a Glance   In this week’s issue US corporate earnings results disappoint the markets but the price of crude oil rises. In the currency markets the yen falls sharply on rumours of further action from the BoJ. The Federal Reserve Bank and Bank of […]