Markets: (Data compiled by The Outsourced Marketing
Department)
January saw a global recovery in equities, with the FTSE 100
seeing its best level for nearly four-and-a-half years, closing at 6,276.9, up
6.43% since the New Year and now only 4.19% under its long-term trend. The FTSE
250 was more impressive, rising 11.9% to finish at 13,847.1.
The Eurostoxx50 improved by 4.3%, closing at 2,749.27, whilst the FTSE All-World index flirted with its highest level since 2008, we also saw Asian markets improve.
Investor sentiment remained bullish in the UK, USA, China, and even in Germany, where recently the Eurozone crisis had dampened market enthusiasm. With the Euro currency now trading at around $1.37, its highest level since November 2011, sentiment has dramatically improved. Wall Street saw the Dow Jones end the month at 13,860.58, up 5.77% and the S&P 500 reaching a five-year high, with many of the constituent companies reporting better than expected earnings data.
With ultra-low interest rates continuing in the USA, Europe and Japan, fuelling the risk appetite of sophisticated investors, the more cautious players may be encouraged to join the party.
Indeed the Tokyo market saw the Nikkei rise by 7.15% to end January at 11,138.66, and reach a near three-year high. The currencies markets saw UK Sterling at $1.59 against the greenback and lower at €1.17 against the Euro. The Euro itself was worth $1.37 up 3.41% in the month and sitting at a fourteen month high.
Commodities were in demand with the Brent Crude benchmark for oil rising 4% to $115.55 and elsewhere copper rising 1.2%. Gold, however, moved little in the month, finishing at $1,664.63, off 0.67%.
Investor sentiment remained bullish in the UK, USA, China, and even in Germany, where recently the Eurozone crisis had dampened market enthusiasm. With the Euro currency now trading at around $1.37, its highest level since November 2011, sentiment has dramatically improved. Wall Street saw the Dow Jones end the month at 13,860.58, up 5.77% and the S&P 500 reaching a five-year high, with many of the constituent companies reporting better than expected earnings data.
With ultra-low interest rates continuing in the USA, Europe and Japan, fuelling the risk appetite of sophisticated investors, the more cautious players may be encouraged to join the party.
Indeed the Tokyo market saw the Nikkei rise by 7.15% to end January at 11,138.66, and reach a near three-year high. The currencies markets saw UK Sterling at $1.59 against the greenback and lower at €1.17 against the Euro. The Euro itself was worth $1.37 up 3.41% in the month and sitting at a fourteen month high.
Commodities were in demand with the Brent Crude benchmark for oil rising 4% to $115.55 and elsewhere copper rising 1.2%. Gold, however, moved little in the month, finishing at $1,664.63, off 0.67%.
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