In the UK we have already seen the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence figure released. This report was actually leaked 3 minutes early. Maybe they just wanted to get the bad news out as soon as they could, as the report revealed the lowest level of confidence in June since records began. It has only been worse than this on one other occasion, that was in March 1990 when we were in a full blown recession. It may appear even worse for the prospects as those that were surveyed do not see things getting better in the next 12 months.

(more…)

Wow, we have seen the bears take the upper hand and the markets fall like a stone over the past month. The S&P is currently down by 8.37% for the month or 117 points. Meanwhile the Dow is down by 9.38% or 1185 points.

(more…)

The long term stocks have continued to run well even though the market has been in a dive. At the close of 18th June we are up in the month by 12.55% (unrealised) as against a 4.47% loss in the S&P.

(more…)

The well weighted balance of stocks/sectors in the virtual fund has ensured that whilst the S&P is down by nearly 3% in the month, the stocks are still up 7.1%.

(more…)

We take a look at inflation once again this week, watch out for possible fireworks! Early indicators may suggest we will see inflation rise higher than previously predicted. Inflation in the UK is now expected to reach 3.8% later in the year, double the level that the government has set.

(more…)

The markets continued to see some large volatility. Fortunately whilst we have seen a small pullback in the unrealised profits so far this month, we are still positive (+6.23%) as apposed to the 4% loss in the S&P.

(more…)

We have seen one a significant amount of volatility in the markets as a whole. As I publish this the S&P is down 41 points or 2.99% which might suggest our stocks may have taken a hammering.

(more…)

We have seen another profitable month in our virtual fund, with a unrealized gain of 5.84% as against 1.04% on the S&P-500.

(more…)

Economic diary

There are some key reports due out this week. We will get a good idea of how both the UK and US economies are running as we see the Manufacturing and services reports. Thursday will see the Bank of England announce that interest rates will not be changed and Friday is US employment day, although Wednesday’s ADP report should give us a guide to what this will come out like.

(more…)