Global fund managers

Deutsche Bank reported this morning and beat expectations. Royal Dutch Shell reported a sharp drop in profits. More majors reporting today. Investors will also be monitoring the latest policy decision from the Bank of England and US jobless claims later today. Italian stocks have received a boost this morning after Mario Draghi accepted the mandate to form a new government…

UK and European markets are higher this morning extending this week’s rally as investors focus on earnings in Europe and US. Major companies reporting today include Voadafone and GlaxoSmithkline. Strong earnings reports on Tuesday from Alphabet (Google) and Amazon that both roared past estimates although the market was more than surprised at the announcement that Jeff Bezos was stepping down…

Markets remain focused on coronavirus news and any indications of economic recovery. Market sentiment has been positive at the start of this week in contrast to last week and stocks are higher again this morning. A potential problem could be the speculative activity of retail traders buying heavily shorted stocks and squeezing hedge funds. The latest target appears to be…

UK and European stock-markets are making a positive start to the week, bouncing back a little after last week’s losses. This coming week will see more major companies reporting earnings, including Amazon and Alphabet, and the release of the latest US jobs data. Last week’s decline was largely triggered by US retail traders buying heavily shorted stocks such as GameStop…

US stocks took their worst hit for three months on Wednesday, recovered some ground on Thursday, but has fallen again this morning with US futures lower overnight. Worries are increasing that a wave of speculative trading from private investors, buying heavily shorted stocks popular with hedge funds, is forcing the funds to sell longs to cover their losses. A number…

UK and European markets are lower this morning after a sharp sell-off in the US. Tech giants Apple and Facebook reported their quarterly earnings yesterday and subsequently fell. Facebook said there was “significant uncertainty” in the outlook for this year. Concerns are also rising regarding the “underwater” short positions held by many hedge funds who may be forced to sell…

Investors are digesting the earnings release from Microsoft, with tech giants Apple and Facebook reporting today. The US Fed ends its meeting today with markets anticipating its rate decision and comments from Chairman Jerome Powell. On Tuesday, the IMF raised its forecast for global economic growth and now expects an expansion of 5.5% this year. The outlook for growth in…

In the US, fourth quarter earnings are in focus with major companies including Facebook and Apple, reporting this week. The majority of companies that have already reported have beaten expectations. On the vaccine front, there is a dispute emerging between the EU and Astrazeneca over supply with the company experiencing production problems but positive news from Moderna who stated its…