Stock Take Several equity markets bounced last week on positive economic news from China and softer messaging from the European Central Bank (ECB). Starting in Europe, on Thursday the ECB lifted central interest rates another 0.25%. This wasn’t a huge surprise though. Instead, it was the commentary that accompanied the changes which drove market direction….

Stock Take September is often a tough month for markets. Data going back to 1945 shows that it is, on average, the worst month of the year for the S&P 500 Index. After a disappointing August, investors are hoping this month will signal that the seemingly relentless rise in interest rates will end soon, offering…

Stock Take The food inflation story took a new turn last week when it was revealed that Burger King faces a lawsuit in the US over allegations that its Whopper burger looks bigger on the menu than it is in reality. Back in the real world, markets continued to look for signs that the Federal…

Stock Take Some good company results last week helped US equities before all eyes fell on Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As well as being a popular skiing destination, Jackson Hole is becoming well known for its Economic Symposium. Leading figures from central banks, and decision-makers across the globe, come to this annual event to discuss issues…

Stock Take After more than a year of inflation dominating market performance in Western markets, the past week saw the emergence of deflation, raising its unwelcome head.jame The causes of inflation in the West are relatively well known by now. Coming out of COVID-19, pent up demand exploded, and it took longer for supply chains…

Stock Take Much of 2023 has been fairly bleak for those in the UK. Inflation has remained above its developed market peers, as the cost-of-living crisis has continued for longer than many hoped. At the same time, rising interest rates and weak equity performance have only added to these woes. Last week, however, there was…

Stock Take It’s not certain whether the saying ‘between the devil and the deep blue sea’ really does have nautical origins. But there’s no doubt the Bank of England knows how it feels to be in a tight spot. Caught between the need to fight inflation running at four times its target and the risks…

Stock Take US stocks rose last week, as positive economic news in the US combined with falling inflation figures to spur hopes that the US might be able to return inflation to normal while growing the economy. Inflation fell to just 3% in June. This compared to 3.8% in May. It is now just 1%…

Stock Take After disappointing inflationary figures for most of the first half of the year, a notable reduction in June helped lift optimism among UK investors. Headline CPI inflation fell from 8.7% in May to 7.9% in June. This was well below market expectations, although it remains significantly higher than many of the UK’s economic…

Stock Take Has the US Federal Reserve finally got the upper hand in its fight against inflation? Data released on Wednesday provided hope that the succession of interest rate rises may at last have punctured soaring prices. Consumer price inflation rose 3% in the year to June, down from 4% in May. It’s the smallest…