"In financial markets equities are forging to new record highs. February has been the strongest month in global equity markets for three years and are humming to the words of Freddie Mercury’s 'Don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time.'"In this week's installment of the Hume Capital Investment Diary, we discuss record highs, technology, financial markets and Eurozone economic recovery.
"For all the haggling, the Greeks and Germans would have done better just pitching up on 26 January, the day after Syriza came in as the new government in Athens. Like a scene from Orwell’s Animal Farm the new Greek government looks exactly the same as the old one, only better looking and more cool with fancy bomber jackets, “Gangnam style” and flawless spoken English to heighten the impression of modernity."To read this week's Hume Capital Investment Diary, head over to the Hume Capital Securities blog today.
"Hello, and welcome to the Hume Capital Securities plc Investment Diary – a weekly roundup of recent news and changes from the world of global markets and beyond. This week at Hume Capital we discuss Greece bailout talks, the Russian ceasefire, low energy prices and more."Head over to the Hume Capital blog to read this week's Investment Diary.
"We recently saw Mike Goddard at the interims, when there was a 130p share price and changed our minds. Mike is the majority shareholder (32% now) and founder, and importantly returned to run the PLC having seen the share price fall as the previous officers were being distracted – there is now a full time FD. The recent pre-close statement read well to those who knew the PLC and we were surprised the price did not tick up more."Read this week's Stock Watch in full, right now on the Hume Capital blog.
"100m people tuned in to the action at Phoenix last night to watch the New England Patriots claim the 49th NFL superbowl. But perhaps more relevant, is the spotlight it shone on the rude health of US corporate advertising, where companies paid $4.5m for a 30 second ad slot, 15% up on 2013 (itself 15% up on 2012)."Read this week's installment of the Hume Capital Investment Diary right now over on our blog.
"Today the CBI stated that U.K. retailers saw good growth in sales in January and expect this to continue into February. Around 50% of retailers said that sales volumes were up in January, while 10 percent said they were down, giving a rounded balance of +39% with consensus estimate of +32%. Nonetheless, the sales volumes rose at a slower pace than in December, which benefited from bumper Black Friday sales."Following the results of the Distributive Trades Survey – carried out by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) – here at Hume Capital we talk U.K. retail, and growth in 2015.
"Were they tipped off by Draghi about coming QE? Did someone have a vendetta against Nick Hayek (he of Swiss watchmakers’ fame) or did SNB boss Thomas Jordan have a grudge against Christian Lagarde (who complained that no one had told her or anyone at the IMF)? The truth is probably less prosaic. Since 2011 the SNB has spent €100bn buying over-priced euros."Read more about the Swiss National Bank, and their decision to remove the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro right now in this week's installment of the Hume Capital Investment Diary.
"In financial markets 2015 is already off to a busy start. TESCO saw its shares soar 15% on “Drastic” Dave Lewis’s turnaround plan and the eurozone’s largest bankSANTANDER’s shares drop 10% as Ana Botin put to rest any fears of being a soft touch following the death of her father with a EUR7bn issue and a slashing of the dividend. Meanwhile in Asia, Li Ka Shing’s proposed restructuring of the family firm resulted in a $24bn deal to create a new entity CK HUTCHISON, in which all the group’s non-property interests will be held."Read more about Tesco, CK Hutchison and other market news right now in this week's Hume Capital Securities Investment Diary.
"Today’s expected update from TW is bullish and in a strong position. Results 3/3. 2015 is entered with ‘more balanced market conditions’ and a healthy and sustainable market is expected."In the latest installment of Stock Watch, here at Hume Capital Securities, we talk Taylor Wimpey and the housing market.
