In the fast-moving world of financial markets, stock indices rise and fall at a dizzying rate. We look at which are up and which are down halfway through the 11th month of 2019.
Oil prices were higher this morning after the energy cartel OPEC forecast robust demand for energy between now and 2040. The organisation has signed a co-operation agreement with its counterpart body for gas exporting countries.
The dollar has held firm on foreign exchanges despite bitter political argument and talk of impeaching Donald Trump. Its key role in the world financial system guarantees steady demand for the currency whatever the domestic weather.
The gold price is nearly 22% higher than a year ago, buoyed by investor demand for exchange-traded funds. The industry body the World Gold Council suggests a new wave of easy money policies from central banks will make gold more attractive still.
Which are the most heavily traded indices at this time, and are they being traded up or down? We identify the indices that have seen the most action, both buying and selling.
Britain’s Brexit election is under way, and the Chicago Board Options Exchange has put together a stock index designed to let traders take positions on Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union. Because the companies listed have low dependence on British revenues, their shares do well the “harder” Brexit looks likely to be.
Share prices rose this morning but sterling was weaker as the political parties prepared to battle it out ahead of the December 12 general election. Today will see a new Speaker of the House of Commons elected in what will be the last significant act of the current Parliament.
Europe’s single currency is drifting lower against the dollar, the yen and even Brexit-blighted sterling. Traders have marked down the euro, fearing recession in the continent and the impact of US-China trade wars.
The latter part of the year is traditionally a hazardous time for currency markets. As October draws to a close, we look at the losers during the past month.
Oil prices have continued their year-long slide, weighed down by recession fears and ever-increasing supplies from the US. Rick Perry, America’s Energy Secretary, has hailed a new era of US independence in terms of power sources.
The long bull run in the gold price has turned down during the last month. But is this just a pause for breath or the start of a downtrend?
Despite slow economic growth, Italy’s blue-chip stock index is up 18% in the past 12 months. However, structural weaknesses remain, and sustaining this rally may be difficult.
Sterling and London share prices were higher this morning in the wake of Saturday’s Parliamentary deadlock over Brexit. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is demanding “a straight up-and-down vote” on his withdrawal deal.
British MPs meet on Saturday in the first such sitting in 37 years to debate Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal. Should they fail to pass it, Britain’s constitutional deadlock will remain unresolved.