Asian stock markets have had a good year supported by renewed activity from China. Stock markets in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan and Indonesia have through strong corporate profits, increased economic stimulus, growth in demand and consumption hit…
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Chinese share values have performed very well. The Shanghai Composite Index grew by 11% while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index grew by 37% in the year to November. Just as in the USA, Chinese technology stocks such as Alibaba and…
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There seem few signs of a slowdown as growth is evident in the USA, Europe, Japan and the emerging economies. Despite the high valuations placed upon the developed world’s stock markets, the high profits in the US and recovery elsewhere…
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Japan’s stock market hit its highest value since 1996 after the re-election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party lead coalition retained its two thirds parliamentary majority thus encouraging markets that Mr Abe’s economic reforms would continue.…
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Last year, oil prices averaged US$45 per barrel but Brent Crude oil is now edging US$60pb.This is over double the price it was in spring 2016. The price is based upon global growth strengthening and an agreement between Russia and…
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Gold demand has fallen this year by 9% in Q3 as the market was hit by slowing demand and a new sales tax in India. Inflows into gold bullion exchange traded funds which track the price of gold were also…
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The global upswing continued with strong economic. This expansion combined with only modest inflation has allowing the Federal Reserve Federal Open Markets Committee (FOMC) to withdraw monetary stimulus. The FOMC started to withdraw assets at a rate of US$10bn per…
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The Government laid out its vision for post-Brexit arrangements in two key areas this week; the customs union and the Northern Ireland border. A Whitehall paper published on Tuesday detailed the UK’s wish to remain part of the customs union…
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Central Bank commentary is raising the probability that quantitative easing support for long-term assets will start to be removed soon. The Fed’s minutes for its last meeting told us as much. This week, the Fed holds its annual meeting at…
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