Daily News – 28 March 2018
Investment Market Update
Asia
Equities in Asia fell after a sell-off in technology shares concerned investors assessing threats to earnings growth for the industry that propelled last year’s rally.
US
A steep, late-afternoon sell-off in technology companies pulled US stocks sharply lower on Tuesday, while banks also weighed on the market as bond yields declined. The market turbulence came a day after the major stock indices notched their best day in more than two years.
UK
UK stocks made strong gains after recent struggles, led higher by GlaxoSmithKline which gained nearly 5% on the news that they had agreed to buy Novartis’ stake in their joint healthcare venture.
Headlines
Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive officer, is expected to testify before the US House Energy and Commerce Committee as early as 12 April, according to a congressional official familiar with the plans.
Kim Jong Un is willing to talk with US President Donald Trump about giving up his nuclear weapons, China said, after the North Korean leader made a surprise visit to Beijing to patch up ties with his neighbour.
Market data
| Price | 1d | YTD | 2017 | |
| UK (£) | ||||
| FTSE 100 | 7,000.14 | 1.60% | -8.90% | 7.60% |
| FTSE 250 | 19,389.13 | 1.10% | -6.50% | 14.70% |
| FTSE All Share | 3,867.03 | 1.50% | -8.40% | 9.00% |
| FTSE Small Cap | 5,595.30 | 0.40% | -5.40% | 14.90% |
| Europe (€) | ||||
| Euro Stoxx 600 | 367.57 | 1.20% | -5.60% | 7.70% |
| DAX 30 | 11,970.83 | 1.60% | -7.30% | 12.50% |
| CAC 40 | 5,115.74 | 1.00% | -3.70% | 9.30% |
| US (US$) | ||||
| S&P 500 | 2,612.62 | -1.70% | -2.30% | 19.40% |
| Dow Jones Ind | 23,857.71 | -1.40% | -3.50% | 25.10% |
| NASDAQ | 7,008.81 | -2.90% | 1.50% | 28.20% |
| Asia | ||||
| Hang Seng | 30,263.09 | -1.70% | 1.10% | 38.50% |
| Nikkei 225 | 20,894.08 | -2.00% | -8.20% | 19.10% |
| Australia 200 | 5,789.50 | -0.70% | -4.50% | 7.00% |
| MSCI AC Asia Pacific | 174.775 | 1.10% | 0.60% | 28.70% |
| World (US$) | ||||
| MSCI World (Developed) | 2,055.55 | -0.70% | -2.30% | 20.10% |
| MSCI AC World (Dev & Em) | 504.134 | -0.50% | -1.70% | 21.60% |
| MSCI Emerging Markets | 1,185.18 | 0.20% | 2.30% | 34.20% |
| MSCI AC World Value | 215.994 | -0.10% | -3.60% | 15.20% |
| MSCI AC World Growth | 277.033 | -0.90% | 0.10% | 28.30% |
| Fixed Income | ||||
| FTSE Gilts All Stocks | 3,581.57 | 0.10% | -0.20% | 3.00% |
| FTSE Index Linked All Stocks | 639.18 | -0.10% | -1.30% | 2.30% |
| ML Sterling Corporate Bonds | 393.741 | 0.20% | -1.80% | 5.70% |
| ML Global High Yield Bonds | 377.197 | 0.00% | -0.10% | 9.70% |
| Commodities (US$) | ||||
| Brent Crude Oil | 70.11 | 0.00% | 6.10% | 14.50% |
| Gold | 1,345.04 | -0.80% | 3.00% | 11.80% |
| UK Sectors | ||||
| Basic Materials | 5,964.89 | 1.90% | -5.60% | 25.00% |
| Consumer Goods and Services | 18,880.29 | 0.90% | -15.60% | 13.60% |
| Financials | 5,085.96 | 1.00% | -6.10% | 13.30% |
| Health Care | 9,068.93 | 3.20% | -4.70% | -3.70% |
| Industrials | 3,867.03 | 1.50% | -8.40% | 9.00% |
| Oil & Gas | 8,278.85 | 1.90% | -8.60% | 6.00% |
| Technology | 1,676.82 | 1.50% | -27.20% | 23.50% |
| Telecommunications | 2,783.96 | 1.60% | -17.70% | 0.10% |
| Utilities | 6,529.15 | 1.80% | -11.00% | -14.80% |
| Currencies | ||||
| $ per £ | 1.4223 | 0.40% | 5.30% | 9.50% |
| € per £ | 1.1429 | 0.10% | 1.50% | -4.00% |
| ¥ per £ | 149.52299 | -0.20% | -1.80% | 5.30% |
| Indicators | ||||
| VIX Index (Volatility) | 22.5 | 7.00% | 103.80% | -21.40% |
| Baltic Dry Index | 1,117.00 | -0.80% | -18.20% | 42.14% |