Market Report 25 May 2010

Market Indices
Another volatile week for markets over concerns surrounding the European sovereign debt crisis. Pressure after merger talks broke down over the weekend between Unicaja and Cajasur meant the Bank of Spain had to intervene to provide state support for Cajasur so it could meet its obligations. Despite Spanish banks avoiding the squeeze from the banking collapse in 2008, they are under considerable pressure from bust local property developments. This situation has sparked further concern over the health of Spanish banks and subsequently adding to problems in the European Monetary Union.

Sterling remains under pressure from a strengthened Dollar. Given the size of the quantitative easing programme and speculation it could be reactivated before the year end, we could see sterling weak for sometime. This is not necessarily bad news as it should make UK exports more competitive on the global stage. 

The UK’s FTSE All Share opened the week at 2707.17, closing down -3.55% at 2611.08.

In the U.S, the Dow opened the week at 10616.98, closing up -3.99% at 10193.39.

The Nikkei opened the week at 10329.37, closing down -5.28% at 9784.54 on Friday.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng opened the week at 19715.20, closing down -0.86% at 19545.83 on Thursday

The Week Ahead

Monday
Invensys

Tuesday
Marks & Spencer

Wednesday
Burberry
Albemarle and Bond

Thursday
Antofagasta
Man Group
Cable and Wireless

Friday
Severn Trent




THIS DATA IS PROVIDED BY SHERIDAN ADMANS, INVESTMENT ADVISER AT THE SHARE CENTRE. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR AGREEMENT TO BUY OR SELL INVESTMENTS.

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2010-05-25 16:14:37 © Moneyextra.com