Better data lifts risk, cryptos surge

Global manufacturing was healthier than expected in July. PMIs in China, the UK, Italy, Germany and France all indicated expansion at a faster rate than forecast.The robust data lifted stocks and industrial commodities, and put bonds under modest pressure.

04 Aug 2020

Focus on earnings

European share investors ignored better macro-economic data to sell down earnings disappointment on Friday night. US stocks fared better, as more companies jumped a low earnings bar, and US indices finished higher. However the US dollar rallied and bonds and gold continue to find good support in a sign of deteriorating sentiment.

03 Aug 2020

Economic evidence weighs on sentiment

Clear evidence of economic damage rattled investor nerves overnight. European unemployment rose, and German GDP fell 11.7%, sparking a torrid trading session for continental markets. US production shrank at its highest rate ever in the second quarter, and weekly unemployment claims rose to 17 million.

31 Jul 2020

BP share price: BP cuts dividend, posts $6.7bn loss

This morning's decision to reduce the payout is welcome, even if it is long overdue, and there has been an immediate rise in BP's share price.

04 Aug 2020

Stocks rally, US stimulus in focus, dollar extends gains

European stock markets are set to close firmly higher even though there aren’t many reasons to be cheery.

04 Aug 2020

HSBC shares weigh on FTSE after big profit fall

While US markets ended last week higher, the picture in Europe was markedly different, with the German DAX falling heavily, back towards its 200-day MA, while the FTSE 100 hit a two-month low.

03 Aug 2020

China data helps mood, Europe called higher, manufacturing reports in focus

Stock markets were mixed on Friday.

03 Aug 2020

FTSE 100 underperforms, US big tech booms

The FTSE 100 is underperforming its continental counterparts on account of the firmer pound.

01 Aug 2020

Apple share price: Apple beats the doubters again, announces 4:1 stock split

Apple's fiscal year got off to a cracking start, with record net income and revenue of $91.8bn and $22.2bn respectively.

31 Jul 2020

NatWest Group completes a miserable week for UK banks

Over the last few years UK banks' share prices have struggled due to concerns over Brexit, however it's been the additional concerns over coronavirus which have driven share to new lows.

31 Jul 2020

US dollar slides to 3-year low, EU Q2 GDP expected to see record fall

European markets fell sharply yesterday, posting their worst one-day losses in four weeks, on the back of concerns that the economic recovery in the past few weeks could be on the cusp of running out of road.

31 Jul 2020

Stocks tumble, UPS pops, gold drops

Stocks are sharply lower as risk-off sentiment is doing the rounds.

31 Jul 2020

Dovish Fed weakens the US dollar further, US and German Q2 GDP up next

European stock markets finished yesterday’s session cautiously flat ahead of last nights Fed decision, which in the end saw US policymakers also signal their determination to keep policy loose well into 2021.

30 Jul 2020

Fed holds rates, extends support

The US Federal Reserve maintained interest rates at current levels at its meeting overnight. The central bank extended its liquidity support program until March 2021, sending the dollar lower and spurring a share market rally. The next 24 hours will be crucial to the outlook for markets.

30 Jul 2020

Stocks calm ahead of Fed, dollar drops again, big tech before Congress

The major equity benchmarks in Europe are largely flat on the session as traders await the update from the Federal Reserve.

30 Jul 2020

FOMC in focus as Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Alphabet CEOs face US lawmakers

Stock markets appear to be starting to get a little wobbly as the latest earnings numbers suggest the global economy faces a challenging period in the months ahead.

29 Jul 2020