AUTHOR
Alex Rankine
India’s stockmarket mania leaves equities vulnerable
Emerging markets
India’s stockmarket mania leaves equities vulnerable
India's BSE Sensex stockmarket index has gained 93% since March 2020. But the gains are not justified by the economic fundamentals.
5 Mar 2021
Will we see oil at $100 a barrel again?
Oil
Will we see oil at $100 a barrel again?
Bank of America thinks crude will hit $100 a barrel at some point the next five years as demand picks up.
5 Mar 2021
The inflation scare is far from over, warns the Bank of England
UK Economy
The inflation scare is far from over, warns the Bank of England
The Bank of England's chief economist has warned that UK consumer price inflation will soon spike as the economy reopens, calling it a “tiger” that co…
5 Mar 2021
America’s “SPAC” boom is coming to Europe
Stockmarkets
America’s “SPAC” boom is coming to Europe
SPACs are shell firms that list on the stockmarket in order to raise cash, then merge with another company. Once confined to the US tech scene, Europe…
4 Mar 2021
US stockmarket bubble just keeps getting bigger
US stockmarkets
US stockmarket bubble just keeps getting bigger
Despite the shine coming off tech stocks this week, valuations have been boosted by loose money and government spending.
26 Feb 2021
The world is drowning in debt
Global Economy
The world is drowning in debt
Covid-19 cost world governments some $14trn in fiscal support last year, and this year average global public debt will hit 99.5% of GDP.
26 Feb 2021
Gold will soon regain its lustre
Gold
Gold will soon regain its lustre
Despite roaring commodity prices and central bankers stoking inflation, gold is being left behind. But that won't last.
26 Feb 2021
Japanese stocks reach a 30-year high
Japan stockmarkets
Japanese stocks reach a 30-year high
Japan’s Nikkei 225 stockmarket index has broken through the 30,000-point level for the first time since 1990.
25 Feb 2021
The reflation trade has further to run
Inflation
The reflation trade has further to run
Investors have piled into assets that stand to gain from a global recovery. And while there may be little evidence of inflation as yet, it will come; …
19 Feb 2021
The FTSE 100 index is ready to rally
UK stockmarkets
The FTSE 100 index is ready to rally
The FTSE 100 index – made up of unfashionable “old economy” stocks – has lagged other major stockmarkets. But global reflation should see its weakness…
19 Feb 2021
Will higher bond yields sink equities?
Government bonds
Will higher bond yields sink equities?
Bond yields have been ticking back up since the autumn, with the benchmark US ten-year bond now above 1.2%. That could tempt investors away from share…
19 Feb 2021
Is bitcoin’s huge price rise the canary in the global coal mine?
Bitcoin
Is bitcoin’s huge price rise the canary in the global coal mine?
The price of bitcoin has surpassed $50,000 for the first time, as institutional adoption makes it an increasingly mainstream asset. But could its huge…
18 Feb 2021
Sterling’s strong start to 2021
Currencies
Sterling’s strong start to 2021
The pound has enjoyed a strong start to the year, but that isn’t great news for investors.
12 Feb 2021
The US dollar’s rally will fade away
Currencies
The US dollar’s rally will fade away
The US dollar, having been widely tipped to fall this year, is up by about 1.2% so far against a basket of six major trading partners’ currencies. But…
12 Feb 2021
We may be at the start of a new commodities supercycle
Commodities
We may be at the start of a new commodities supercycle
For the past ten years raw materials prices have languished in a bear market. But we could be about to see a new commodities supercycle that could riv…
12 Feb 2021
Oil prices recover from Covid-19 collapse
Oil
Oil prices recover from Covid-19 collapse
The oil price slumped last spring as major economies locked down. But is has now returned to its pre-pandemic level as it hits $60 a barrel.
11 Feb 2021
Will interest rates go below zero?
UK Economy
Will interest rates go below zero?
The Bank of England has been looking into the idea of setting negative interest rates. Could it happen?
5 Feb 2021
Emerging market stocks bounce as investors pour in
Emerging markets
Emerging market stocks bounce as investors pour in
Global investors have poured billions of dollars into emerging markets, leaving the MSCI Emerging Markets index up over 80% March last year.
5 Feb 2021
Stockmarkets shrug off turbulence
Stockmarkets
Stockmarkets shrug off turbulence
Stockmarkets have hit their first bout of turbulence of the year, but most are clinging onto January’s gains.
4 Feb 2021
A rare opportunity for investors in Brazil
Emerging markets
A rare opportunity for investors in Brazil
Brighter times are always promised for Brazil, but disappointment often follows. But with Brazilians finding a new zeal for stockmarket investing, tha…
30 Jan 2021
US stockmarkets shrug off signs of overheating
US stockmarkets
US stockmarkets shrug off signs of overheating
Signs of overheating in the markets are everywhere, but that didn't stop US stocks hitting new record highs last week.
29 Jan 2021
The good news is already priced in to China's stockmarkets
Chinese economy
The good news is already priced in to China's stockmarkets
China’s CSI 300 stockmarket index gained 27% last year and is already up 4% in 2021, with investors being seduced by the country’s growth outlook.
29 Jan 2021
Diamonds regain their sparkle as gem prices rise
Silver and other precious metals
Diamonds regain their sparkle as gem prices rise
After five years in the doldrums, the price of natural diamonds is climbing again.
29 Jan 2021
When will the US stockmarket bubble burst?
US stockmarkets
When will the US stockmarket bubble burst?
With US stocks more expensive than before the Wall Street crash of 1929, there are growing signs of “mania”. But what will push markets over the edge?
22 Jan 2021
Beware: inflation is starting to stir in the US
Inflation
Beware: inflation is starting to stir in the US
With US consumer prices up by 1.4% in the last year, concern about inflation is now everywhere.
22 Jan 2021
How the commodities supercycle will foment unrest around the world
Commodities
How the commodities supercycle will foment unrest around the world
Commodities, including metals, energy and agricultural goods have seen prices climb steadily. With many societies are already on edge, we could see a …
21 Jan 2021
Bitcoin: fool’s gold or the new gold?
Bitcoin
Bitcoin: fool’s gold or the new gold?
With bitcoin hitting new highs last week, and close to becoming a mainstream investment, is it really gold for the 21st century?
15 Jan 2021
Why investors should beware of India’s surging stockmarket
Emerging markets
Why investors should beware of India’s surging stockmarket
The BSE Sensex benchmark index has soared by 90% since March, largely driven by foreign investors. But India's bull market is very vulnerable.
15 Jan 2021
US stockmarkets shrug off the mob's rampage through the US Capitol building
US stockmarkets
US stockmarkets shrug off the mob's rampage through the US Capitol building
US stockmarkets seem more interested in the results of Senate elections in Georgia than on the lawless mob's raid on the country's Capitol building.
14 Jan 2021
More upside to come for the oil price
Oil
More upside to come for the oil price
The Brent crude oil price its highest level since last February this week. And there could be more gains to come.
14 Jan 2021
Will America’s “healthy reflation” end in inflation?
US stockmarkets
Will America’s “healthy reflation” end in inflation?
Democratic control of the US Congress would give Joe Biden huge scope to stimulate the economy. But willie mean a “healthy reflation” for the economy …
8 Jan 2021
European stockmarkets will bounce back
European stockmarkets
European stockmarkets will bounce back
Last year was one to forget for European stockmarkets. But 2021 should prove better.
8 Jan 2021
Beaten-down UK stocks set for a big bounce
UK stockmarkets
Beaten-down UK stocks set for a big bounce
UK stocks shrugged off this week’s new lockdown. And provided the vaccination campaign goes ahead smoothly, traders will remain bullish.
8 Jan 2021
Gold’s strong start to the new year
Gold
Gold’s strong start to the new year
Gold has raced off the starting blocks for 2021, hitting a two-month high on Monday.
7 Jan 2021
Emerging markets are bouncing back
Emerging markets
Emerging markets are bouncing back
The MSCI Emerging Markets index plunged by 33% between 1 January and 23 March as economies locked down. But it has since rallied by 68%.
24 Dec 2020
The stockmarket’s Santa rally has been cancelled
Stockmarkets
The stockmarket’s Santa rally has been cancelled
With chaos spreading through supply chains and talk of domestic virus restrictions remaining in place until Easter, markets have not been feeling fest…
24 Dec 2020