Back with a bang: US fourth-quarter earnings turn positive

The big news from the fourth-quarter reporting season is that earnings growth is back. Consensus expectations for were for further contractions in corporate earnings, but instead we’ve seen an expansion – in the US at least. Now that most of S&P 500’s constituents have reported, some 83% have surprised positively – well above the historical… Continue reading

Why you should know your index

The FTSE 100 has been a relative underperformer because of its high weighting in financial and commodity companies. The indices that have outperformed have businesses that look to the future. The last few years have seen wide divergence in the performance of different international equity indices. Over the last five years, Nasdaq – the world’s… Continue reading

How Asian stock markets shook off the pandemic

It seems ancient history now, but 2020 opened with a high degree of optimism for Asian markets. True, valuations were no more than reasonable given the share price gains of the previous twelve months, but conditions appeared favourable and there was a widespread consensus on a global economic recovery and a strong year ahead for… Continue reading

Looking back at the markets through January 2021

A selection of articles looking back through the markets last month. Global Market Review: “Unintended consequences” - Financial markets are becoming increasingly vulnerable to a sharp correction that would, in turn, jeopardise stability, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF warned that investors’ expectations of continued support from governments and central banks has generated... Continue reading

What can investors expect from the Year of the Ox?

This year Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Ox, which began on Friday. The Ox is thought to be a symbol of reliability, strength, patience and caution. It is also associated with harvesting, fertility and prosperity. After a tumultuous 2020, many an investor will welcome financial markets that are reliable, strong and... Continue reading

Bitcoin should not be considered an investment

Investors should be wary of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Charles Stanley does not consider them an ‘investable asset’ and we wouldn’t include digital coins in any of our portfolios. Cryptocurrencies were established to take the government out of money. Many people don’t trust central banks, believing these institutions will devalue their wealth by manipulating the... Continue reading

Going Green In China

China needs massive investment to meet its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Estimates range from some US$6 trillion up to US$16 trillion. President Xi Jinping announced his country’s historic goal via a video link at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last September1. Carbon neutrality means China would have to remove... Continue reading

The virus is still costing the economy dear

Despite the equity market exuberance as vaccines boost recovery hopes, the spread of Covid-19 is still having a significant economic impact and will have for some time to come. Equity markets are well advanced in pricing in a strong economic recovery this year from the lockdowns on both sides of the Atlantic. It still seems... Continue reading

Why lockdown winners are not vaccine losers

The past year has brought significant changes to all our lives and sped up the growth of a number of consumer and leisure trends. Online shopping is an obvious example and the same is true for some of the other “lockdown winners”: namely computer games and cook-at-home meal kits. Like online shopping, we think these... Continue reading

View more article on Market Briefings

Nexus Newsletters & Topic Guides

Money & Wealth Magazine

ISA Deadline 5th April

Client Guides & Newsletters

Independent Financial Advice
sponsors of Market Briefings

It is important always to seek professional advice from a qualified and regulated independent financial adviser before making any decision regarding your finances.

If you would like to discuss your own personal circumstances with an independent financial adviser please email: office@nexusifa.co.uk or call us on 01278 439494.

Request a Callback

Follow @MarketBriefings

Market Briefings is sponsored by UK independent financial advisers Nexus IFA Ltd. These articles have previously been published elsewhere and are intended as general information for UK residents and are not intended to provide individual investment advice and should not be regarded as a recommendation to conduct investment business. Opinions expressed in articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the sponsors or Market Briefings.

It is strongly recommended that you seek appropriate professional independent financial advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Do not make any financial decision based upon the information contained within any Market Briefings article alone as the articles do not provide personal financial advice based on your circumstances. To visit Nexus IFA’s website which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) please click here.

It is important to remember that all investments carry some risk. Please remember that past performance is not a guide to future performance and may not be repeated. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amounts originally invested. Exchange rate changes may cause the value of any overseas investments to rise or fall. Your home may be repossed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Nexus IFA Ltd, 2-4 York Buildings, Cornhill, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3BS
T: 01278 439494 | E: office@nexusifa.co.uk | W: www.nexusifa.co.uk
Reg. Office: as above. Reg. in England No. 07542873.

Nexus IFA Ltd which is an Appointed Representative of The Whitechurch Network Limited
which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This month's selection of articles with analysis & opinion from leading investment experts & economists

Nexus Newsletters & Topic Guides

Independent Financial Advice sponsors of Market Briefings

Independent Financial Advice
sponsors of Market Briefings