Stock Take If the market values of the big-tech Magnificent Seven were combined, it would create the second-largest stock exchange in the world. In a relatively quiet week for economic data, it was therefore little wonder that investors’ attention was focused on earnings announcements from the bellwether US companies, in a welcome return to market…

Stock Take A survey last year confirmed the chocolate digestive as the UK’s favourite biscuit. So, last week’s news that a fall in the price of chocolate biscuits had contributed to UK inflation hitting its lowest level in two-and-a-half years would have been welcomed by many. Yet the March fall in inflation to an annual…

Stock Take Jeremy Hunt declared the UK economy was finally ‘turning a corner’ late last week, after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the economy grew by 0.1% in February. The ONS also revised up its January growth figures from 0.2% to 0.3%. Together, these figures suggest the UK will end the first quarter…

Stock Take “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore,” said Mark Twain. In fact, land was about the only thing investors weren’t buying in the first quarter of 2024, as stocks, gold and cryptocurrencies all surged to record highs. That exuberance has been founded on the belief that the global interest-rate cycle is turning. The…

Stock Take The first quarter of 2024 ended on a positive note, with growth in most major markets, and encouraging inflationary news in the UK. Starting with the latter, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported that shop price inflation eased to 1.3% in March, down from 2.5% in February. This was the lowest level recorded…

Stock Take The Japanese revere the country’s spectacular cherry blossom season as a symbol of new beginnings. In ending eight years of negative interest rates, the Bank of Japan (BoJ) is hoping its decision heralds a new era for the country’s stagnating economy. Investors had to navigate a minefield of central bank meetings last week….

Stock Take  A small increase in US inflation last week hurt American markets, although there was better news in Europe. Starting with the US, CPI Inflation in February was 3.2%, compared to 3.1% in January. ‘Core’ inflation – which doesn’t include food and energy prices – did fall slightly (from 3.9% to 3.8%) but was…

Stock Take In its current form, the Chinese pension system is predicted to run out of money by 2035. The country’s population dropped by three million last year. China’s demographic timebomb of a shrinking and ageing population, driven by its past policies – including the one-child policy – and a growing reluctance among young adults…

Stock Take Positive news helped US and Japanese stocks finish February on a high, while much of Europe played the waiting game last week. This was especially true in the UK, where the Government is due to announce its Budget on the coming Wednesday. With an election due later this year, and the Conservatives currently…

Stock Take After the 1929 Crash and Great Depression, it took Wall Street 25 years to recoup its losses. Last week, Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index broke that record as it finally surpassed its 1989 high. In the intervening 34 years, Japan has struggled with deflation and little to no economic growth. It’s certainly not out…