Market Commentary June 2017


Craig Hendry

Craig Hendry

Managing Director & Chartered Financial Planner


The snap General Election has delivered a hung parliament, which has resulted in a coalition between the Conservatives and the DUP. The election outcome has had a negligible impact on markets.

Despite inflation rising to 2.9%, The Bank of England held the base rate of interest at 0.25%. Interestingly, the minutes of the meeting showed that three of the eight committee members voted to increase the rate. Subsequent interviews with Mark Carney and Andrew Haldane have suggested that a rate rise may be on the cards in the near future. As a result Sterling has strengthened against the Green Back, which in turn led the market down.

In the US, the Federal Reserve increased the base rate of interest to a range of 1% to 1.25%, the second increase this year. There is a strong possibility that rates will be increased further as the year progresses.

Oil has fallen in June as Nigeria and Libya continue to increase their output. In addition, inventories globally appear to be increasing which forced the price down to an intra month low of US$44.82. Since the reaching highs of US$57.10 in January, oil has fallen over 15%.

 30 June 20171 month6 months12 months
FTSE 1007,312.72-2.76%2.38%12.43%
GBP/USD1.29940.74%5.32%-1.95%
GBP/EUR1.1387-0.81%-2.58%-4.83%
Brent Crude (US$)47.92-4.75%-15.66%-3.54%
Gold (US$ per oz)1,241.61-2.15%8.20%-6.07%

Sources

www.xe.com

www.bloomberg.com

If you would like to discuss anything contained in this article, please contact a member of our Wealth Team by email on enquiries@jcwealth.co.uk or your usual local office Financial Planner.

Nothing in this communication constitutes advice to undertake a transaction and professional advice should be taken before investing. Any observations are purely commentary on markets.  This material is not investment research and the content should not be treated as an offer or invitation to buy or sell securities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and is no guarantee. The value of investments may fall as well as rise. Changes in exchange rates between currencies can cause investments or income to go up or down.

Disclaimer: While all possible care is taken in the completion of this blog, no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the information contained herein can be accepted by this firm.


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