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CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
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A flurry of corporate results lifts European indices

Article By: ,  Senior Market Analyst

As the US midterm election dust settles, at least from voting if not on the political front, stock markets are shifting focus back onto corporate news.

Astra, BAE, Sainsbury move FTSE

European gauges are moderately higher on results and earnings’ guidances from Siemens, Ericsson and UniCredit. In London, Sainsbury surprised on the positive side with a 20% increase in first half profits, BAE Systems reiterated its flat earnings guidance while Astra Zeneca reported a 37% drop in net profits even though its sales showed a respectable increase. Still, the declining profits didn’t stop the drug maker’s shares from rallying 2% this morning and helping to lift the FTSE.

Midterms over, what next?

US stock markets all closed handsomely higher late Wednesday as the markets began to chew on the new reality of a split Congress and all that will mean for President Trump who until now had an almost unfettered ability to make political and economic decisions due to the Republican majority in both houses. But even before the dust settled on ballot boxes and as political analysts started looking at the long list of grievances the Democrats have against Trump, including his tax returns and suspicions of involvement with Russia during the presidential election, Trump asked for the resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The drastic but not unexpected decision could imply that Session’s successor might abandon the Russia-related investigation into the President as the President had been at loggerheads, with Sessions over that issue.

US stocks rallied in the wake of Session’s resignation, adding to the post midterm gains. Longer-term Treasuries also moved higher and the difference between short- and long-term Treasury yields shrank.

Mixed UK economic data

UK economic data showed two diverging trends with house prices falling the most in six years, particularly in the pricey London boroughs and London’s commuter belt. At the same time wages for new employees grew the fastest, largely as Brexit has led to declining staff availability. The data will confirm the BoE’s concerns over wage inflation amid a slowing economy and will set the scene for rate hikes in the coming months, which in turn is likely to dampen the housing market even further.

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