July was a mixed month for global equity markets.  Excluding the United States, most global equity markets fell as increasing coronavirus cases and the consequential economic impact caused uncertainty.

Although coronavirus cases are rising in several US states, particularly in southern states that were initially reluctant to enforce lockdowns or mandate the wearing of masks, equity markets are being buoyed by the results of the large tech companies.

The Dow Jones 30 increased by 2.4% in July but this was surpassed by the tech-heavy N...

Global equity markets had a difficult week as markets reacted to tensions between the United States and China.

The situation between the United States and China has been brewing recently.  Tensions have been on the rise in relation to Hong Kong as the Chinese government is tightening its control over the region.  Last week, the US government closed a Chinese consulate in Houston, and as a response, the Chinese government ordered the US consulate in Chengdu to close.

Global equity markets had a positive week following encouraging early results from clinical trials have raised hopes for an effective coronavirus vaccine.

Early results from two trials in the United States, run by the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and biotech company Modern, suggest both their vaccines produce a good immune response in volunteers.

The same is expected when data is released this week from Oxford University.  Its vaccine is designed to stimulate two parts of the immune system - producing neutralising antibodies and T-cel...

Global equity markets saw only modest gains and losses last week.

In terms of £ Sterling, it closed the week (to 10 July), at 1.26 US Dollars, which was 1.1% higher than the figure at the end of the previous week (3 July).

Against the Euro, £ Sterling closed on 10 July at 1.12 Euros, which was 0.6% higher than the ...

In March, Rishi Sunak unveiled “one of the largest and most comprehensive economic responses in the world” to protect the UK’s population against the impact of coronavirus. The £160bn plan, the Chancellor said, was just the first stage of the government’s response to the pandemic. Four months later, on 8 July, the Chancellor stepped up once again to reveal the second phase, “a plan for jobs”.

In his speech, Mr Sunak did not shy away from the “profound economic challenges” facing the nation. He revealed that, in just two months, the economy ...

Global equity markets wrestled with mixed messages last week as positive economic data was suppressed by rising new coronavirus cases in certain parts of the United States and elsewhere.

In terms of £ Sterling, it closed the week (to 3 July), at 1.25 US Dollars, which was 1.2% higher than the figure at the end of the pr...

During June, most global equity markets rose despite rising daily rates of new coronavirus cases, especially in the United States, which dampened some of the optimism about the speed of an economic recovery.  It was reported that 12 states, including Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, have reversed re-opening plans and implemented tighter restrictions to prevent a further spread of the virus.

June’s performance helped the FTSE 100 record its best quarterly performance since 2010, gaining 8.8%.

It was a similar positive headline ...

Most global equity markets fell last week on the back of rising daily rates of new coronavirus cases in the United States.  According to reports, United States saw a single-day record rise of 37,000 in infections on Thursday, led by Florida, Texas, California and Arizona, surpassing the 36,188 level from back in April.

This has seen the Governors in Texas and Florida ordering all bars to close again on Friday, making the states the first to reverse some reopening measures after months of lockdowns.

Global equity markets had a largely positive week on the back of a general feel-good factor about economic data, central bank action and a sense of an earnings recovery later in the year

In terms of £ Sterling, it closed the week (to 19 June), at 1.24 US Dollars, which was 1.5% lower than the figure at the end of the p...