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.
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.

FTSE and Nasdaq miss out on Trump Juncker rally

Article By: ,  Senior Market Analyst
European stocks surged on Thursday, lifted by easing US – EU trade tensions following successful trade talks between President Trump and EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. However, FTSE didn’t join the party and moved lower across most of the session. The Nasdaq was another noticeable absentee from the rally following Facebook’s grim outlook, whilst the S&P edged higher and the Dow soared on reduced trade war fears.

Shell misses the mark
Oil majors and real estate have been the principal drags on the FTSE. Shell topped the FTSE loser board, plunging 3.7% despite posting a 37% rise in underlying earnings and announcing a $25 million share buyback programme. These results of Shell’s impressive cost cutting programme and a rebounding oil price are seeing the firm press ahead with the long-awaited share buyback programme, even though the earnings missed expectations of $5.9 billion at $4.7 billion. 

The results are impressive away from the top line, cash flow is at the highest level since 2014, net debt down 9% and Shell’s 20% gearing target is now in sight; Shell appears to be much more orderly since its troubled days of 2015/6. This looks like an overreaction by investors who are particularly irked by Shell’s decision to not hike the dividend.  Expectations were high going into the release, but the top line miss sits mainly with a troublesome FX transaction rather than anything more serious. Expectations for the sector as a whole are high, we expect Shell to bounce back from this relatively quickly.

Facebook dives in worst trading day ever
Any optimism from the easing trade war tensions had quickly been erased by tanking Facebook shares, which have dragged the Nasdaq 1% lower. Facebook was in freefall as it opened for trading followings its results after the bell last night. 

As daily active users fell short of expectations and Facebook warned that revenue growth would slow for the rest of the year investors have reacted, panic selling and putting the stock in line for its worst day ever. There is no doubt that this is a serious reset to a stock which prior to this year could do little wrong. There are clearly some core issues which Facebook is working on that the market had been ready to price over; shares have rallied over 40% since the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The startling outlook from Facebook is bringing these core issues back to the foreground and the price back to reality as a result.


StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

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. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.

© City Index 2024