News

It’s not that long ago than anyone with any degree of financial savvy was hitching a ride on the booming Chinese economy. With a huge population, a burgeoning urban middle class, a turbo-charged manufacturing sector and a government intent on turning the world’s most populous nation into an economic superpower, it seemed that investors really […]

It’s been a difficult few months for the smallest of the small-cap companies listed on the UK market, according to an influential study of the sector. Last year the UK fund industry was rocked by the controversy surrounding one of its superstar managers. Neil Woodford’s flagship equity income fund was promoted by Hargreaves Lansdown and […]

For much of the 21st century, India has been hailed as an up and coming financial power. A vast, young population, increasing attempts to drive down corruption, and a growing educated urban middle class with consumer aspirations have all combined to position India as a future leader of the world economy as more established powers […]

The British economy has grown by 0.1% over the last quarter of 2019, according to new reports by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). However, whilst growth in September and October appeared to show signs of positive upward movement for the economy, a disappointing November saw the economy shrink by 0.3%, which dragged down the […]

American e-commerce giant Amazon has announced it will make a $1bn investment in the Indian economy, specifically targeting small and medium businesses in what CEO Jeff Bezos has called a rapidly growing economy and key growth market. At the core of the company’s plans is to invest in logistical and technological advancements that will help […]

Global stock markets have remained unexpectedly healthy despite recent concerns over several geopolitical events, which had threatened to trigger sell-offs across Asian, European and American markets. The continuing tariff war between the US and China, the US airstrike that killed a top Iranian military commander and the upcoming US Presidential elections conspired to send global […]

A flagship tie-up between London and Shanghai stock exchanges that would have allowed for cross border listings has been halted according to financial insiders. It’s another piece of collateral damage from the deepening diplomatic crisis around the current situation in Hong Kong. Despite governments in both countries remaining tight-lipped, Reuters is quoting officials at the […]

Factories across the Eurozone continued to see a decline in activity as 2019 came to a close. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) compiled by IHS Markit was below the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction for the eleventh consecutive month. At 46.3 for December, the PMI was lower than November’s 46.9 but higher than […]

Investors have plenty to celebrate as the FTSE posted its biggest annual gain since 2016: 12%. The index enjoyed 11 consecutive days on the rise earlier in December 2019 and has given shareholders plenty to cheer about, despite a small 0.6% loss on exporter stocks. From an economic perspective, even this minor decline has a bright […]

Universal Music has been signing the best pop artists for decades. With Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga under contract (and The Beatles back in the glory days), Universal are the biggest player in the music industry. Now, after long negotiations, its parent company Vivendi have agreed to sell a 10% stake to the Chinese tech […]