Although markets have not succumbed to the downward pressure the continuing unrest in Ukraine is generating, they are not making much positive progress either. Given that Asian markets got off to a good start this week, this is a little disappointing. Still, company news is thin on the ground and even last week’s budget statement did not spark much interest, despite the radical overhaul of the pensions industry.
Despite a lift for markets, arguably helped along here in the UK by the Vodafone demerger, shares have become somewhat lacklustre of late. The situation in the Ukraine is undoubtedly weighing on sentiment, but perhaps the recent gentle slide in markets owes more to an absence of any real stimulus.
To continue reading please click the link below.
Markets have been generally trending upwards, despite a modest upset in Asian markets. Our own FTSE 100 Share Index is finishing February within a whisker of the previous all time high, reached more than fourteen years ago. Part of the reason behind the recent strength has been the jump in Vodafone’s share price. It is worth looking at what has been going on in this giant telecommunications business.
To continue reading please click the link below.
Two weeks ago British Gas was in the news for not the best of reasons. This week they return to the spotlight, again under circumstances they would wish had not taken place. The Energy Secretary clearly thinks that they and other energy giants are making too much money at the expense of the poor consumer. Gas and electricity companies seem to have taken over the mantle of those businesses we love to hate from the banks…
To continue reading please click the link below.
Markets have been having a trickier time of late, with our own FTSE 100 Index shedding much of the ground made at the end of last year and the beginning of this, while Wall Street has been behaving in a similarly unsettled fashion. Given an improving economic picture, particularly on the employment front, it is worrying that investors have turned nervous, but markets never do move in a straight line.
To continue reading please click the link below.
With Christmas and the New Year intervening, it has been some time since last I shared my thoughts on the state of markets. Just before Christmas I was lamenting the lack of a Santa rally – that seasonal push for shares that more often than not takes markets higher. As it happens, markets did generate some momentum as the year drew to a close. December recorded a 1.5% gain overall – less than a number of other markets, but sufficient to bring 2013’s rise to over 14%.
To continue reading please click the link below.
Clearly I spoke too soon when I referred to the positive effect that Christmas can have on shares. Markets have been somewhat subdued since children started opening their advent calendars, although not every day is a down day. Last week did in fact see the major markets shed between 1.5% and 2% – not a massive amount, but equally not what we have come to expect in the run up to Christmas. Nervousness clearly abounds in investment circles.
To continue reading please click the link below.
Market Comment 17th December 2013
Our stock market recently reacted in a manner that many would have believed was rather perverse to confirmation that our economic situation is improving. The FTSE 100 Share Index shed 100 points on the news that the recovery was now firmly bedded down. It was the Governor of the Bank of England who made the claim when issuing the Bank’s latest quarterly inflation report. Shares fell because investors feared interest rates might soon be going up…
To continue reading please click the link below.
Market Comment 20th November 2013
For Brian Tora’s latest thoughts, please click the link.
For Brian Tora’s latest views, please click the link.
Please get in touch if you would like to subscribe to our regular enews updates.
We will only use your email address to send you occasional enews by email. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are operating as usual, albeit remotely.
We continue to provide financial planning for our existing clients and welcome new clients. If you have a concern and would like some guidance, please get in touch on 0117 214 0870 or team@brunelcp.com
© 2020 Brunel Capital Partners Ltd.
Registered Office: 16 Queen Square, Bristol, BS1 4NT • Registered in England, Reg No. 07586042 | Privacy policy/disclaimer
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
Our FCA Register number is 554381