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What Iran-US tensions mean for markets and investors
Thursday 09 Jan 2020Of all the risks investors were weighing for the year ahead, a big escalation of hostilities in the Middle East was not foremost in most people’s minds. However, recent developments in the region have intervened to interrupt a promising start to 2020 for stocks. This remains a fluid and febrile...
Problems mount up at Hadrian’s Wall fund
Thursday 09 Jan 2020Following news on 9 December that Hadrian’s Wall Secured Investments ( HWSL ) may wind up after encountering problems with some of its holdings, we think now is to time for shareholders to cut their losses and get out. Having recently increased its loss provision on two biomass investments from £3...
Flagship Lindsell Train funds downgraded on capacity concerns
Thursday 09 Jan 2020Fund manager Nick Train found an unwelcome gift under his tree on Christmas Eve – a downgrade by ratings agency Morningstar to two of the funds he runs. The agency cut its rating on the £6.7bn LF Lindsell Train UK Equity Fund (B18B9X7) from Gold to Bronze and cut the rating on the £1.8bn Finsbury...
New Year stock rally predicted by Bank of America
Thursday 19 Dec 2019Shares could soar in the first quarter of 2020 according to analysts at Bank of America who predict a ‘risk asset melt-up’. The bank’s measure of investor sentiment hit an 18-month high last week marking an ‘outright bullish’ reading and suggesting clear skies for global markets. With the US...
UK banks rally but misconduct fines still hang over the sector
Thursday 19 Dec 2019Shares in high-street banks Barclays ( BARC ) , Lloyds ( LLOY ) , Royal Bank of Scotland ( RBS ) and Virgin Money ( VMUK ) rocketed on 13 December after the landslide Conservative victory in the general election. The banks were in demand amid expectations of higher bond yields due to Tory promises...
Why shares soared on the election result
Thursday 19 Dec 2019Markets were already pricing in a victory for the Conservatives in the 12 December election but what caught investors on the hop was the scale of the victory. That resulted in a major share price rally for UK equities. A landslide Tory win should offer greater political certainty after a long...
Why Sports Direct is going upmarket
Thursday 19 Dec 2019Shares in sporting goods giant Sports Direct, which now trade on the stock market as Frasers ( FRAS ) , surged on half-year results (16 Dec) which showed a bumper rise in earnings despite testing times for retailers. The tracksuits, trainers and tennis balls seller also flagged the ‘green shoots of...
What are the next steps for Brexit?
Thursday 19 Dec 2019The big majority secured by prime minister Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party means the UK is almost certain to exit the European Union on 31 January 2020 in an orderly fashion. Attention will then switch to the deal on future trade between the UK and EU. With a 31 December 2020 deadline,...
Premier Oil becomes major short-selling target
Thursday 12 Dec 2019Asia Research & Capital Management, a privately-owned asset management firm based in Hong Kong, has built up one of the largest ever short positions (£132m) in the UK market, targeting oil firm Premier Oil ( PMO ) . Short-selling is betting that a share price will fall. It involves borrowing...
Property sector faces new crisis as dealing in two funds suspended
Thursday 12 Dec 2019The risks associated with open-ended property funds have been brought home to investors again as trading in M&G Property Portfolio (B89X8P6) and Prudential M&G Property Portfolio (0537296) is suspended. These events provide an uncomfortable reminder of the immediate aftermath of the Brexit...