Articles
-
What does 2017 have in store?
The fall in sterling turned 2016 from a difficult year for UK-based investors into a good one, but with sterling more likely to appreciate in 2017 than weaken further, that tailwind is no longer blowing.
-
Italy triggers next Euro-zone crisis
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s resounding referendum defeat on 4th December, and his subsequent resignation, have not caused much market turmoil. But over the long term, the political and financial consequences are difficult to anticipate.
-
Uncertainty high in France
Sunday’s final round of the Republican Presidential primary may be decisive for France and Europe in 2017. The winner – either Alain Juppé or François Fillon – would be a major opponent of Front National’s Marine Le Pen next year.
-
It’s Trump!
Donald Trump has been elected the 45th President of the United States. Much like Brexit, this was widely unanticipated by political commentators, pollsters and investors alike, and the initial market reaction to the result was sharply negative.
-
Winners and losers in Sterling’s fall
Just after the vote for Brexit, the pound was in turmoil and fell about 11%. Sterling is falling again and recently fell to its lowest level in more than 30 years.
-
Did Portugal’s bailout work?
It is always a pleasure being in Lisbon. Yet, there are more people around my hotel begging for money than I have seen before, and there is certainly not the feeling of an economy emerging strongly after the debt crisis.
-
Israel’s cost of living problem
Israel is more expensive than Japan.
-
Brazil’s Olympian returns
The Olympics and Paralympics have put Brazil under the spotlight this summer. As well as the fantastic sporting action (with a special nod to Team GB), the country’s stock market proved a real champion.
-
Oil glut drives prices lower again
Oil fell to 12-year lows under $30 a barrel in January 2016, before almost doubling by May. Now it is back on the slide.
-
Interest rates down – and further cuts lie ahead
Yesterday’s 0.25% interest rate cut by the Bank of England is the first rate change in over seven years.
-
Italy’s failing banks worry Euro-zone
The possibility of banking collapses in Italy is concerning many European leaders.
-
India’s dampened growth
I was not prepared for the severity of the monsoon rains on my visit to the capital, New Delhi, which makes travel around the city virtually impossible.
