Global equity markets are experiencing their worst start to the year since 2008. While some are fearing this is the start of a bear market, others believe markets are oversold and equities now look at their most compelling in years. There are valid arguments on both sides, but some seem more right than others.
Oil prices may have rebounded somewhat on Friday as bargain-hunters stepped in after sharp falls earlier in the week, but commodity producers woes continued to mount as Moody’s released a slew of downbeat announcements.
The week started with a little bit of optimism; nascent hopes that the previous week’s violent turns could be left behind.
There are currently very few screaming buys in the market. Years of quantitative easing and a still rickety economic recovery have left most quality assets very fully valued and the rest seeming cheap for a reason.
The FTSE’s felled and the bears are back out in force, so could now be good time to entrust your wealth with a dedicated value investor?
The news over the weekend that the sanctions against Iran have been lifted took very few people by surprise, but the confirmation that the country is back among the global oil-producing fold does bode ill for prices.
It has been quite a start to the year in financial markets and the initial impulse many will have is to batten down the hatches and try to weatherproof portfolios.
The past week has left me a little shaken. And, I would argue, I am not the only one. The bears are in full chorus at the moment and I find myself humming along.
According to CISI’s latest survey, the financial services industry’s confidence in the UK’s economic prospects is on the wane, but this doesn’t appear to be discouraging investors.
Japanese equities are enjoying their time in the rising sun in terms of the preferences of many investors, but is this a sound move destined to yield rewards or an act of desperation?
Workers at Toyota’s plants in Burnaston and Deeside will breathe a sigh of relief on the car maker’s renewed commitment to the UK, but it’s a sign of further questions to come on Brexit.
After a spectacularly dismal start to the year last week, all eyes turn this week to the start of corporate earnings season.
