Take Over Bids and Eurozone Data Support Spread Betting Markets

Posted on | August 20, 2012 | No Comments

The Spread Betting Markets: The Week in Review

The tone within the spread betting markets last week could best be described as lacklustre, but with a hint of excitement over news regarding takeover bids.

Monday set the tone for the week, beginning with very low trade volumes (the lowest since 1999 in some European markets) as investors used lower than expected preliminary GDP data from Japan as an excuse to extend their holiday from the markets.

Yet, we experienced some takeover rumours on Monday.

United Utilities, the FTSE 100 water company, surged to a four year high as speculation that the company could become a takeover target teased investors’ appetite for risk.

Once again, Tuesday’s volumes also proved painfully low. Better-than-expected German GDP data caused a brief excitement as investors once again remembered that there is still a Eurozone powerhouse acting as an outlier to the Eurozone gloom.

However, gains were small as investors also remembered that the Eurozone itself is still in turmoil.

The UK market enjoyed some positive news midweek as the UK unemployment rate finally dipped from 8.1% to 8% and the monthly claimant count dropped from an expected 6,200 to -5,900.

However, miners continued to drag the UK blue-chip index south as poor trading sessions in Asia overnight concerning global growth plagued global markets.

Towards the latter period of the week, European markets entertained a positive start to trading. This was led by China’s Premier, Wen Jiabao, announcing that further stimulus measures could be on the table to help boost China’s worrying economic growth rate.

Such an incentive would likely come in the form of a cut to Chinese’s banks reserve ratio requirement which would allow banks to hold less capital and instead boost their pool of liquidity to aid in lending to faltering businesses.

Such moves in the past have led to the markets thundering with optimism. However, gains were a shadow of what they have been in the past following similar announcements from Chinese officials.

Another takeover rumour was also gifted to the markets on Thursday courtesy of a rally towards the end of Wednesday.

Informa, the FTSE 250 media company, rallied from 386 pence to close at 406 pence on Wednesday following rumours of a takeover by German multimedia giant Axel Springer as well as a private equity consortium.

The final day of trading last week was filled with some sentiment, yet volumes were still poor.

Better-than-expected Eurozone current account figures provided a foundation for bulls, yet bears still stubbornly over stayed their welcome, particularly around the mining sectors.

Yet again, takeover rumours circulated around the UK markets on Friday.

Britvic, the FTSE 250 beverage firm, could be subject to a takeover by Guinness and Diageo as well as another private equity consortium.

However, Britvic traded relatively flat on the open as shares trading investors were wary of buying into a stock which was only last month fined for having to recall one of their headline products owing to a design fault.

 
The Spread Betting Markets – The Coming Week:

This week sees a further raft of economic as well as corporate data which could result in investors sticking with their stocks through sickness or health.

Trade balance figures from Japan and manufacturing data from China will provide an insight as to how the Asian export champions are dealing with global economic slowdowns.

Furthermore, profit announcements from mining giant, BHP Billiton on Thursday will provide a further insight as to whether core demand for mining goods are reflecting the current pace of the global economy.

Spread betting is a leveraged product. It carries a high level of risk to your capital and, as it is possible to lose more than your initial investment, it may not be suitable for all investors. Therefore, ensure you understand the risks involved and seek independent advice if necessary. The tax treatment of spread bets may be subject to change in the future.

Article by Spreadex.

The above should not be construed in any circumstances as a recommendation or offer to sell or recommendation or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument.

Comments