This morning’s fourth quarter update from UK retail stalwart Next was never forecast to be impressive. However, the surprising magnitude with which the company missed expectations resulted in Next’s share price falling by as much as 16% shortly after the London market opening this morning, a performance that has continued into this afternoon with the shares…
Macro observations Despite moving into the New Year it remains old themes that are likely to have a strong bearing on currency movements in the first few months of the year of the year. With less than three weeks until Donald Trump’s inauguration as US President (January 20) and Theresa May expected to invoke Article 50, the legislation…
January couldn’t be a more crucial month for crude oil. The OPEC and non-OPEC production cut deal comes into force on the first day of the new year as producers including Saudi Arabia and Russia look to reduce supply in the currently flooded crude oil market. With the IEA reporting that oil demand could continue rising up…
The UK Index looks set to close flat today, with only small gains for the week. Whilst not exactly offering the excitement of recent weeks or that seen earlier in the year, there are a host of strong positives and hidden messages to be taken from such a calm move into the festive period. For…
Those expecting a quiet-run in to the year-end are likely pleasantly surprised this morning after a host of news related to the exciting banking sector. Firstly, overnight news that Monte dei Paschi is set to receive state aid as part of a €20bn package to keep the bank and troubled peers afloat is something of…
This morning, the performances of the major UK 100 Pharmaceutical companies perfectly highlights the nature of the industry and some of the rewards (and, of course, risks) of investing in the sector. Just last week my colleague Mike wrote about reversing fortunes of the UK Index ‘s pharmas and their upside potential. Yet today the sector is…