Walmart sales growth continues
Walmart sales growth continues – sales were up 2.1% to 31st July 2017 to $123.40 billion on previous year. Asda, a Walmart subsidiary also reported positive sales – the first in three years. Visit Wal-Mart Stores PLC (WMT) for accounts report summary
UK retail growth slows
UK Retail growth slows as shoppers cut back on some items but not on food. These latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) attracted comment from some analysts suggesting that the UK consumer is in a better place than expected and this could bode well for the future. …
Has Trump damaged his reputation as a business leader and as President?
Has Trump damaged his reputation as a business leader and as President in-light of recent events? His response to nationalist rallies was questioned by business leaders over the weekend. Trump set-up business advisory groups when he became president. This was seen as a positive move by the business community even …
Japan economy builds
The Japanese economy continues to build as exports continued to climb. The data for July also showed a rise in imports as demand for tech items such as cameras grew. Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and is gathering momentum. Figures out earlier this week showed Japan’s economy expanded at …
Mixed picture for Wall Street
On Wall Street the DOW Jones Industrial Average closed at 22002 – up slightly – but the S&P 500 closed down at: 2464 and the NASDAQ also closed down at 6333 – All with small movement though.
FTSE 100 index closed up
The FTSE 100 index closed up. The FTSE 100 index closed up 30 points at: 7383 – led by EasyJet (EZJ) up 5.2% to close at: £13.30 Since closing – the markets in general have stalled and most indices appear to be treading water. The worst FTSE 100 performer today …
US retail sales boosts market
US retail sales picked up June to July driven by car purchases and department stores sales growth. Based on this latest set of data it would appear, thanks to the US consumer, the US economy is well placed to benefit from more consumer spending in the second half of the …
Hargreaves Lansdown profits up
Hargreaves Lansdown profits up Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (HL.) reported today and profits are up by 21%. Assets under management are also up at £79.2 billion. See report here for Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (HL.) Share price: £13.56 on 15/08/17 at: 11:15am
Markets settle after geopolitical tensions subside?
Markets appear to have settled after the escalation of tensions between the US and North Korea last week subside. Thankfully the tensions did not worsen over the weekend. Strong economic fundamentals under-pinning recent strong market increases are still there, hiding behind the scenes, despite geopolitical uncertainty. One of my concerns …
UK economic data to look out for this week
UK economic data to look out for this week Economic data is due this week (14/08/17 – 18/08/17). The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is due to announce latest employment figures and retail data (Wed & Thu). But before that on Tuesday 15th August inflation figures are also due – …