Spread Betting: Banking Shares Fall Ahead of Stress Test Results
In a fairly listless session as come to the close of Q1 European equities have struggled for direction ahead of the results of the Irish banks stress tests, which are due to be released later today, after the close.
Unsurprisingly the banking sector is amongst the largest fallers after Anglo Irish Bank reported record losses [...]
Stock Indices: FTSE Rallies on Miners Strength
European stock indices pushed higher to new three week highs today as traders continued to buy into stocks helping the FTSE, DAX and CAC all post gains of between 0.4%-1%.
The FTSE 100 has now gained for six sessions in a row and whilst this may paint a rather rosy picture, I would sound [...]
Spread Betting: Indices Move Towards Key Resistance Levels
Last week, indices moved higher and started to re-test upper resistance levels. The recent moves have certainly caused some uncertainty what the markets will see next.
Depending on what time frame you look at, you can see both bullish and bearish trends. This suggests that spread betting investors should soon see a signal as to which [...]
Spread Betting: Rising Oil Prices Weigh on Retail Sales
The Spread Betting Markets - Last Week:
Geopolitical concerns continue driving oil prices higher despite an international effort to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. While this downside pressure has largely been priced into equity markets, fuel concerns were again highlighted in Thursday’s worse-than-expected UK retail sales figures, coming in at -0.8%.
Although high street [...]
Indices: FTSE Continues to Rally Despite BP Setback
Friday marked yet another day of gains for European indices with traders continuing to buy into stocks which they feel are good value. There was no standout sector in early trading however, leading European indices higher with gains broadly spread out across energy, banks, construction and pharmaceutical stocks.
On the flip side to the [...]
Spread Betting: FTSE 100 Breaks 5800 on Retail Strength
The FTSE 100 broke back above the 5800 level this morning, having previously met resistance at this level earlier in the week, as retail stocks such as Next, Kingfisher and Marks and Spencer’s surged higher in early trade.
It has been the high demand for retail stocks this morning, coupled with continued support from the miners [...]
Pound Takes Centre Stage in the FX Spread Betting Markets
European equity markets after looking quite positive have slipped back from their highs today on the back of a number of different factors, including concerns about radiation fears from the stricken reactors in Japan, concern about escalating violence in the Middle East and a rising oil price.
Amongst the biggest movers has been supermarket giant Sainsbury’s [...]
Are the Bulls Back in Control of the Stock Markets?
Bearish moves saw indices move lower last week. However with the markets off to a good start this week, the question is whether we are heading for a test of the recent highs or setting up for further falls.
There are several factors affecting the spread betting markets at the moment, and each one needs [...]
Japanese Tsunami Dominates the Spread Betting Markets
The Spread Betting Markets - Last Week:
The Japanese earthquake, resulting tsunami and nuclear disaster captured the attention of the financial spread betting markets this week, and trading was based largely on emotional reaction than on macroeconomic data or corporate news.
Light and Brent Crude prices have been elevated for weeks on security of supply [...]
European Indices Push Higher but Spread Betting Markets Still Volatile
European indices enjoyed more gains on Friday, helping to make inroads to the heavy losses endured during the early part of the week in response to the tsunami and subsequent nuclear instability within Japan.
The two sectors that have led the recovery in European indices from their recent 3-month lows have been the energy and [...]