Daily News – 2 May 2018
Investment Market Update
Asia
Most Asian markets fell on Wednesday, ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy statement where investors await clues on the future pace of monetary tightening.
US
US markets closed mixed on Tuesday as trade and economic woes persisted but anticipation of earnings from Apple pushed the Nasdaq higher.
UK
UK stocks closed higher on Tuesday, as data showed manufacturing growth slowed to a 17-month low, sending the pound lower and boosting dollar-earning companies.
Headlines
Apple plans to double its share buyback scheme to $100bn (£73bn) as solid iPhone sales helped revenues rise 16% to just over $61bn. The company said it sold 52.2 million iPhones in the three months to March – only a touch below expectations, despite waning global demand for smart phones.
Growth in unsecured lending – including loans, credit cards and overdrafts – slowed sharply in March, further easing pressure on interest rate policymakers. The chances of a Bank rate rise in May have receded in recent days amid signs of slowing economic growth.
Market data
| Price | 1d | YTD | 2017 | |
| UK (£) | ||||
| FTSE 100 | 7,520.36 | 0.1% | -2.2% | 7.6% |
| FTSE 250 | 20,348.32 | 0.3% | -1.8% | 14.7% |
| FTSE All Share | 4,135.31 | 0.2% | -2.0% | 9.0% |
| FTSE Small Cap | 5,888.97 | 0.4% | -0.4% | 14.9% |
| Europe (€) | ||||
| Euro Stoxx 600 | 385.03 | -0.1% | -1.1% | 7.7% |
| DAX 30 | 12,612.11 | 0.0% | -2.4% | 12.5% |
| CAC 40 | 5,520.50 | 0.0% | 3.9% | 9.3% |
| US (US$) | ||||
| S&P 500 | 2,654.80 | 0.3% | -0.7% | 19.4% |
| Dow Jones Ind | 24,099.05 | -0.3% | -2.5% | 25.1% |
| NASDAQ | 7,130.70 | 0.9% | 3.3% | 28.2% |
| Asia | ||||
| Hang Seng | 30,622.97 | -0.6% | 2.4% | 38.5% |
| Nikkei 225 | 22,453.44 | -0.2% | -1.4% | 19.1% |
| Australia 200 | 6,052.50 | 0.6% | -0.2% | 7.0% |
| MSCI AC Asia Pacific | 173.84 | -0.2% | 0.0% | 28.7% |
| World (US$) | ||||
| MSCI World (Developed) | 2,083.77 | -0.1% | -0.9% | 20.1% |
| MSCI AC World (Dev & Em) | 509.00 | -0.1% | -0.8% | 21.6% |
| MSCI Emerging Markets | 1,162.48 | -0.2% | 0.3% | 34.2% |
| MSCI AC World Value | 218.30 | -0.4% | -2.6% | 15.2% |
| MSCI AC World Growth | 279.44 | 0.1% | 1.0% | 28.3% |
| Fixed Income | ||||
| FTSE Gilts All Stocks | 3,565.79 | 0.1% | -0.6% | 3.0% |
| FTSE Index Linked All Stocks | 634.08 | 0.6% | -2.1% | 2.3% |
| ML Sterling Corporate Bonds | 395.62 | 0.1% | -1.3% | 5.7% |
| ML Global High Yield Bonds | 375.72 | -0.3% | -0.4% | 9.7% |
| Commodities (US$) | ||||
| Brent Crude Oil | 73.13 | -2.1% | 11.7% | 14.5% |
| Gold | 1,307.14 | -0.8% | 0.1% | 11.8% |
| UK Sectors | ||||
| Basic Materials | 6,139.20 | -0.9% | -2.8% | 25.0% |
| Consumer Goods and Services | 19,792.55 | -0.6% | -11.5% | 13.6% |
| Financials | 5,326.57 | 0.3% | -1.6% | 13.3% |
| Health Care | 10,030.41 | 1.1% | 5.4% | -3.7% |
| Industrials | 4,135.31 | 0.2% | -2.0% | 9.0% |
| Oil & Gas | 9,362.38 | 0.4% | 3.3% | 6.0% |
| Technology | 1,819.32 | 0.5% | -21.0% | 23.5% |
| Telecommunications | 3,026.22 | -0.9% | -10.6% | 0.1% |
| Utilities | 7,275.07 | 0.6% | -0.8% | -14.8% |
| Currencies | ||||
| $ per £ | 1.38 | 1.0% | 1.9% | 9.5% |
| € per £ | 1.14 | 0.3% | 1.0% | -4.0% |
| ¥ per £ | 150.21 | 0.6% | -1.3% | 5.3% |
| Indicators | ||||
| VIX Index (Volatility) | 15.49 | -2.8% | 40.3% | -21.4% |
| Baltic Dry Index | 1,327.00 | -1.0% | -2.9% | 42.1% |