February has seen a positive turn in markets as speculation that Saudi Arabia and Russia want to hold oil production at current levels. This has led to further hope that the OPEC cartel will act at their next meeting. The FTSE 100 ended the month up 0.61%

In the UK unemployment remains at 10 year lows – however wage inflation remains meagre at 1.9% – indicating that a rise in interest rates remains some distance away.

Although the markets are have recovered from their January lows, the price of gold has steadily increased and gilt yields have eased as investors look to so called ‘safe havens’.

Despite agreeing a ‘new deal’ for the UK in European Union, we will be heading to the polls on 23 June to decide the UK’s fate in the EU. As we approach this date it is likely that volatility will increase the closer to polling date. This has led to the pounds sharpest one day decline against the dollar in over seven years.

FTSE 100 – 6,174.57
GBP/USD – 1.4314
GBP/Euro – 1.2920Brent Crude $39.52
Gold – $1,241.70 (per oz)

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