Bookending the UK Index this week are two stocks impacted heavily by a surprise snap election announcement by UK PM  May. This sent GBP higher on hopes that a Conservative landslide will allow for a smoother and more orderly Brexit thanks to a bigger parliamentary majority and a better negotiating hand with Europe. It also…

While political events may have stolen the headlines this week, first quarter earnings season has moved up a gear in earnest, with a plethora of corporate results on both sides of the pond adding into the melting pot. However, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Things really get spicy next week as we have four of the UK’s…

21 Apr Armchair Trader Mike van Dulken commented – “A Macron (centrist) & Fillon (centre-right) win would likely be the most palatable for financial markets. A Le Pen (far right) & Mélenchon (far left) result would surely raise alarms. Markets look to be pricing in something between the two with Macron & Le Pen progressing…

Oil’s disproportionate influence on the UK’s flagship UK 100 , coupled with some fresh and unwelcome GBP strength overnight (bullish flag?), is holding the index back from a breakout and potential reversal from 2017 lows. This after oil prices plunged back close to April lows yesterday. The drop derives from official US Oil inventory data…

A snap UK general election was a surprise. The big question now is why, and why now? To make the most of Labour disarray and seal an even bigger parliamentary majority. For sure. However there are risks attached, and other likely reasons too; With many seeing the election as a Brexit proxy vote, bitter remainers…

Macro observations After a long Easter weekend, European markets have returned to an announcement from UK Prime Minister Theresa May that she is calling a snap UK general election for 8 June. This has come as a surprise for many political commentators, given that an election was not scheduled to take place until 2020 at the latest,…