IG Weekly Market News Podcast

Will Greece drop the euro?

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:35:00 GMT

Once again, Greece has been the focus of market attention during the past week after its election failed to deliver a government. Some are already speculating it is a case of when not if the country drops the euro – and this has meant weakness across many asset classes including the FTSE 100 and of course the euro itself. In addition a surprise $2 billion loss announcement from JP Morgan ensured that markets ended the week under pressure, making for another potentially nervous few days ahead.

Stock markets staged a steady recovery

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:35:00 GMT

Despite the backdrop of continued concern over the state of Spain's finances, stock markets have seen a steady, if modest, recovery this week. Closer to home, the high street has been in focus, with better-than-expected UK retail sales figures revealed - but some disappointment for Tesco and SuperGroup shareholders.

Markets under pressure despite Bernanke comments

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

It's been another week of some pressure on stock markets, as the effects of US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's speech faded quickly. Although the FTSE dropped sharply, so far it has continued to hold above the earlier March lows. There is plenty of economic data due out in the week ahead, with Friday the big one as the US unveils its latest unemployment numbers.

China growth concerns weighed on markets

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Stock markets have spent most of the week under pressure as concerns about China's growth slowing have weighed on sentiment. The UK Budget was broadly well-received by markets, with gilts the biggest mover, pushing down government borrowing costs. Next week has GDP revisions for the UK and US, so that could spark some more volatility.

US jobs data end a volatile week positively

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Volatility returned to stock markets this week, with all-too-familiar concerns over Greece having many people trying to head for the exit at the same time. However, this has proved to be short-lived and another strong US jobs report has left sentiment upbeat heading into next week.

Greek deal failed to boost equities

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Initial early euphoria over the Greece deal has faded as the week has gone on, but stock markets are still clinging onto their overall positive bias. There has been plenty of volatility in other markets, with the pound getting buffeted on the Bank of England minutes and crude oil soaring to a nine-month high.

Is a Greece deal finally imminent?

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:00 GMT

It's been another week dominated by the progress - or lack of it - on the Greek debt bailout, but hopes have built up once again that a deal is finally imminent. There has been the odd wobble for stock markets but the end of the week sees the FTSE once again trying to make meaningful progress through the 5900 level, while the pound gets a lift by some surprisingly positive UK retail sales numbers.

Markets gain despite Greek woes

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:00 GMT

A week of missed deadlines for Greece hasn't dented enthusiasm in stock markets too much as they continue to grind out further gains, although it definitely hasn't been the most volatile of weeks. Further QE announced by the Bank of England was met with a muted response by markets, as it was hardly a surprise. Barclays numbers on Friday were initially a disappointment to the market but this was soon shrugged off, leaving everyone eyeing the next Greek deadline over the weekend.

US Fed comments lifted markets

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Although a little bit weaker on Friday, markets are ending the week overall on a bullish footing, after the US Federal Reserve's broad hint on Wednesday that interest rates will be remaining low for some time put a rocket under many asset classes. Even the euro managed to stage an impressive recovery, pushing out to fresh highs for 2012 against the US dollar. But will it last? This week's podcast looks at what got traders excited in recent days and what to look out for in the week ahead.

The FTSE's 2012 rise to be tested

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Stock markets have made a steady if unspectacular start to 2012, with the volatility index falling to its lowest levels in more than five months, despite the S&P downgrade of France. But next week sees the UK firmly back in focus as GDP data on Wednesday will give us all some pointers as to whether the doom and gloom for our own economy has been overdone.

Markets patiently watch EU developments

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 9 Dec 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Once again the eurozone was firmly in focus, although the FTSE ended the week broadly unchanged. It's been more of a political tug of war this week that has left markets surprisingly patient, waiting for the next step in solving the debt. Of course Europe is likely to remain the main event in the week ahead, and as volumes start to drop off ahead of Christmas, traders are well aware of the possibility of sudden volatility across all asset classes.

Eurozone debt and US jobless data next week's focus

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

The FTSE ends the week finally managing to break its worst losing streak since 2003, but once again the European debt crisis looks set to dominate much of next week before Friday's US unemployment data.

Markets stage recovery as Italy faces the music

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Once again it is the eurozone that has driven markets this week as the spotlight moves from Greece to Italy. With the rate of interest that the Italian government have to pay for their debt moving through 7%, markets once again started panicking about the prospect of yet another bailout. However as the week went on we have seen a surprising recovery across many assets - but with a vote expected this weekend from Italy on austerity cuts, how long will the stability last?

Greece referendum prolongs eurozone crisis

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Just when we thought the eurozone crisis was entering its final stages, the decision by Greece to hold a referendum on the bailout threw a spanner in the works. Once again volatility has been the theme of the week, with developments and rumour surrounding Greece overshadowing the G20 summit.

Markets cautious ahead of EU summit

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:00:00 GMT

A subdued week on markets as yet another weekend meeting is due to take place on resolving the European debt crisis. The odd rumour throughout the week provided occasional flurries of excitement, but overall an air of caution remained across most markets. However, the next few days could see volatility return as the results of the meeting are announced.

Markets staged a recovery, but will it last?

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:00:00 GMT

A calmer week all around on markets saw steady recoveries for indices, the pound and oil prices. The FTSE was particularly notable, finally cracking the top of the range that has proved a ceiling since September - but will it last...?

FTSE falls below 5000 in volatile week

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 7 Oct 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Yet again volatility was the theme this week with the FTSE closing below 5000 for the first time in more than a year – then ending the week near the top of its recent range. The Bank of England surprised many with its QE2 launch on Thursday – but is this really going to be enough to help the economy?

Little hope for Greece

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:30:00 GMT

Another volatile few days for world markets, with optimism over Greece quickly dissipating as we have seen so many times. Join IG for a look back at what has been driving markets this week and a look ahead to forthcoming key events.

European debt concerns persist

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:00:00 GMT

After a week of choppiness, investors left it until Friday afternoon to head for the exits as, once again, rumours concerning European debt and the risk of default swirled around markets. An indecisive week overall, but with plenty on the calendar for next week, there's the potential for more volatile trading ahead.

Gloom back in fashion

David.Jones@iggroup.com (David Jones) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:00:00 GMT

US unemployment data has once again disappointed markets, dashing hopes for a prolonged upturn and putting the focus firmly back on a stumbling recovery.