Daily News – 21 March 2018
Investment Market Update
Asia
Asian stocks finished higher as energy companies underpinned stock gains after a rally in crude oil, in an Asian session subdued by a Japanese holiday before the Federal Reserve’s policy decision.
US
US stocks closed higher despite shares in Twitter and Facebook falling after a day punctuated with reports of increased scrutiny of the social media sector.
UK
UK stocks closed higher as Travel company Tui led the risers and Just Eat topped the drop list. The pound held fairly steady on Tuesday despite an inflation report that showed prices were rising at a slightly slower pace than had been expected.
Headlines
Falling petrol prices and a slower rise in the cost of food contributed to a drop in UK consumer price inflation during February. The rate fell from 3% to 2.7%, the lowest figure since July 2017. The fall eases pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates. There had been speculation it could raise rates at its meeting in May.
As many as 90,000 grandparents and family members are missing out on a little-known perk that can increase their State Pension. National Insurance Credits for those who look after young children, instead of working, can be worth up to £230 a year in retirement. Insurance firm Royal London estimates that only one-in-ten of those eligible are claiming the benefit.
Market data
| Price | 1d | YTD | 2017 | |
| UK (£) | ||||
| FTSE 100 | 7,061.27 | 0.3% | -8.1% | 7.6% |
| FTSE 250 | 19,723.56 | 0.1% | -4.8% | 14.7% |
| FTSE All Share | 3,907.73 | 0.2% | -7.4% | 9.0% |
| FTSE Small Cap | 5,699.50 | 0.1% | -3.6% | 14.9% |
| Europe (€) | ||||
| Euro Stoxx 600 | 375.57 | 0.5% | -3.5% | 7.7% |
| DAX 30 | 12,307.33 | 0.7% | -4.7% | 12.5% |
| CAC 40 | 5,252.43 | 0.6% | -1.1% | 9.3% |
| US (US$) | ||||
| S&P 500 | 2,716.94 | 0.1% | 1.6% | 19.4% |
| Dow Jones Ind | 24,727.27 | 0.5% | 0.0% | 25.1% |
| NASDAQ | 7,364.30 | 0.3% | 6.7% | 28.2% |
| Asia | ||||
| Hang Seng | 31,626.75 | 0.2% | 5.7% | 38.5% |
| Nikkei 225 | 21,380.97 | 0.0% | -6.1% | 19.1% |
| Australia 200 | 5,950.27 | 0.2% | -1.9% | 7.0% |
| MSCI AC Asia Pacific | 176.73 | -0.1% | 1.7% | 28.7% |
| World (US$) | ||||
| MSCI World (Developed) | 2,110.91 | 0.0% | 0.4% | 20.1% |
| MSCI AC World (Dev & Em) | 517.33 | 0.1% | 0.8% | 21.6% |
| MSCI Emerging Markets | 1,209.89 | 0.5% | 4.4% | 34.2% |
| MSCI AC World Value | 220.28 | -0.1% | -1.7% | 15.2% |
| MSCI AC World Growth | 285.95 | 0.2% | 3.3% | 28.3% |
| Fixed Income | ||||
| FTSE Gilts All Stocks | 3,561.63 | -0.2% | -0.8% | 3.0% |
| FTSE Index Linked All Stocks | 636.17 | -0.3% | -1.8% | 2.3% |
| ML Sterling Corporate Bonds | 393.16 | -0.3% | -1.9% | 5.7% |
| ML Global High Yield Bonds | 376.75 | -0.1% | -0.2% | 9.7% |
| Commodities (US$) | ||||
| Brent Crude Oil | 67.42 | 2.1% | 2.0% | 14.5% |
| Gold | 1,312.38 | -0.4% | 0.5% | 11.8% |
| UK Sectors | ||||
| Basic Materials | 6,022.63 | 0.6% | -4.7% | 25.0% |
| Consumer Goods and Services | 19,039.35 | -0.3% | -14.9% | 13.6% |
| Financials | 5,241.40 | 0.6% | -3.2% | 13.3% |
| Health Care | 8,944.92 | 0.0% | -6.0% | -3.7% |
| Industrials | 3,907.73 | 0.2% | -7.4% | 9.0% |
| Oil & Gas | 8,048.81 | 1.1% | -11.2% | 6.0% |
| Technology | 1,702.62 | -1.1% | -26.0% | 23.5% |
| Telecommunications | 2,818.93 | -1.0% | -16.7% | 0.1% |
| Utilities | 6,436.76 | -1.0% | -12.2% | -14.8% |
| Currencies | ||||
| $ per £ | 1.40 | 0.3% | 4.0% | 9.5% |
| € per £ | 1.14 | -0.4% | 1.0% | -4.0% |
| ¥ per £ | 148.74 | -0.2% | -2.3% | 5.3% |
| Indicators | ||||
| VIX Index (Volatility) | 18.20 | -4.3% | 64.9% | -21.4% |
| Baltic Dry Index | 1,136.00 | -0.6% | -16.8% | 42.1% |