Taking the leadSometimes it is indecision, rather than action, that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. So it has been for markets watching the Fed in recent months; until Wednesday, the US central bank had displayed a level of indecision worthy of Hamlet. Last
“The bears are in hibernation,” quipped market strategists as a month dominated by central banks’ activity ended with global markets clawing their way back to near record highs. After a bruising August and September, the FTSE All-World Index gained 8% in October, its biggest monthly
Metal SettleThe most significant reversal in sentiment was towards commodities. Commodities have been one of the principal enemies of stocks this summer and of confidence in the global outlook more broadly. The drop in GDP growth figures in China was especially important in this regard;
One in three beersPerhaps the most significant market news of the week came on Tuesday with the announcement of the merger between brewing giants Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) and SABMiller. The deal means that one in three bottles of beer worldwide looks set to be
Metal SettleThe most significant reversal in sentiment was towards commodities. Commodities have been one of the principal enemies of stocks this summer and of confidence in the global outlook more broadly. The drop in GDP growth figures in China was especially important in this regard;
Summer showersAs investors bid farewell to a volatile third quarter, now is a good moment to put some of the recent fearmongering into context. The data was never going to look rosy; and, sure enough, when the figures came in, they reflected the impact of
Shakes not quakesAs the volatility typical of the height of summer extended to September, investors could understandably be unnerved by the series of small tremors that has continued to rattle markets. Yet the factors driving market uncertainty – rising US interest rates and lower Chinese
Playing safeThe most important event of the week was, in fact, a non-event – the US Federal Reserve chose not to raise interest rates. The downbeat comments which accompanied the news prompted some rotation out of equities and into bonds. After weeks of anticipation and debate,
Last week, members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) found themselves once again to be largely of one mind on the question of interest rates, as members voted 8–1 for no change to the Bank of England rate of 0.5%. The pound rose slightly after
Finely balanced The volatility of August overlapped into the first days of September, as uncertainty persisted over when the US Federal Reserve would raise interest rates. Markets are likely to remain uneasy until the timing of that decision becomes crystal clear. The best course of action
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