Macro observations Last week it was a range of fiscal promises that drove markets, however this week may instead see monetary realities leading FX space in an all-star showing for macroeconomic data and speeches. US President Donald Trump’s promise of a ‘phenomenal’ reform to taxes in the States in a meeting with airline executives provoked a significant market reaction, as equities…
Many of my clients this week have been voicing their opinion that the lack of significant data and, excluding Wednesday, a slight lull in earnings reporting from the UK’s blue chip companies, has resulted in a slow week for some of their trades. However, over the past 5 days both Wall Street and the UK-centric…
You may remember a few months ago we wrote about the significant percentage of UK 100 constituents paying dividend yields that made a mockery of high street interest rates. Refresh your memory here if not. On the one hand things haven’t changed much since. On the other, rather a lot has changed. For the good…
Cloud-based security platform Sophos (SOPH) is topping the this morning, its shares +6.9% after a trading statement suggesting strong momentum in Q3 and an upgraded outlook. Revenues +11% were boosted by strong software subscription (billing +16.1%), a very successful first full quarter for next-generation product Intercept X and, perhaps more importantly, operating profit back in the…
Macro observations With last week’s three course helping of major central banks updates now behind us, politics will establish itself as the primary driver of foreign exchange markets throughout the week as macro data gets thrust into the back seat. Barely three weeks into his tenure, US President Donald Trump is facing continued backlash against his controversial…
It was the turn of UK Index giant Reckitt Benckiser (RB) to defy the laws of M&A this week, its shares rising 4% on news of a big acquisition. It’s difficult to know whether M&A optimism or dividend hopes (more so this) really drove Tesco (TSCO) shares 9% higher last week. But the situation with…