UK consumers defy expectations in July, with food sales surging
The strength of the UK consumer proved resilient in July, with month-on-month retail sales rising 0.3% according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Macro News
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Architas urges shift to defensive assets
Architas has warned that investors should begin shifting towards defensive assets before volatility strikes markets in the latter half of 2017.
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Trump’s ‘fire and fury’ threat wipes $1trn from global markets
The drastic fall across global markets following president Donald Trump’s threats against North Korea are a sign of how pronounced downturns can be from lofty market highs, Rowan Dartington’s Guy Stephens says.
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Pressure is off BoE as wages stagnate and employment rise
Pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates was handed another blow on Wednesday unemployment fell and UK earnings growth, while beating expectations, failed to outpace inflation.
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IA: FTSE bosses improving on pay but more work needed
Shareholders “flexing their muscles” over remuneration packages has led to an improving attitude among FTSE directors towards pay, but there is still “some way to go” on the issue, the Investment Association says.
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Profit expectations fall to lowest level in nearly three years
Global fund managers are becoming increasingly bearish on corporate profits, with the amount thinking they will improve over the next 12 months falling to the lowest level since November 2005, according to the latest BofA Merrill Lynch fund manager survey.
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Widening FTSE profit gap sparks fears firms spinning results
The gap between stated and adjusted profit in FTSE 100 companies is at a 10-year high, according to AJ Bell which has raised fears firms are intentionally “muddying the waters”.
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Murky future for UK companies despite bumper profits
The picture for UK companies looks “murkier” despite them posting bumper profits in the last financial year, according to the latest data from The Share Centre.
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Four funds lose Sanlam’s ‘White List’ status
Sanlam has removed four funds from its list of top-rated UK equity income funds – the White List – in its latest biannual study of the sector.
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Charles Stanley: The ‘bears are wrong’, equity bull market is not dead
The global equity bull market has further to run, despite industry concern it has reached a peak, according to Charles Stanley.
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Inflation-linked bonds attractive despite uncertain outlook
Despite a murkier outlook for global inflation, there could be “positive surprises” ahead which make inflation-linked bonds an attractive diversifier, Fidelity International says.
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Investors rush to gold following rising North Korea tensions
The stand-off between US president Donald Trump and North Korea has led to a spike in gold and silver prices, with financial markets adopting a safety first attitude in the immediate aftermath of escalating tensions.