Trading Update
15-Jan-14, 9:08am: ITV Shares Are Still on the Up

They closed up 2.22% yesterday at 207.3p.

For the last 5 trading days they are up 4.75% and only a touch off their 52 week high of 209.1p.

Update by Jacob Wood, Editor,
15-Jan-14, 9:18am:

Stock Markets Bounce Back



A solid bounce for the markets after good US retail sales data, the World Bank made a minor upgrade to its growth forecast and both JPMorgan and Wells Fargo beat earnings estimates.

The US 30 index is up, as is the FTSE 100, which has broken through resistance at 6774.



Update by Craig Inglis, Head of Product Development,
15-Jan-14, 11:35am: Eurozone Debt Crisis

In the latest trading video on our blog, Megan Greene joins Michael Hewson to review the current state of the European debt crisis in the light of the agreement over a ‘Banking Union’ and changing economic data.

How Will the ‘Banking Union’ Agreement Affect the European Debt Crisis?

Update by Gordon Childs, Editor,
15-Jan-14, 3:33pm: Crude oil inventories fell 7.7m last week vs. an expected drawdown of 0.7m

As a result, the US crude market has extended earlier gains.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
15-Jan-14, 5:49pm: The US Dollar Index moves above the 81.00 mark after another set of better-than-expected data from the ‘States.

Update by Jenna Cutly, Editor,
15-Jan-14, 5:59pm: Analysts are expecting the yuan to break the 6.000 level in 2014.

According to an article on WSJ.com, “Analysts are expecting the yuan to break the key 6.0000 level later this year.”

Update by Jacob Wood, Editor,
16-Jan-14, 9:53am:

US Stocks Hit Fresh Records



The Dow and S&P 500 hit fresh all-time highs once again after strong bank earnings and positive US economic data.

Japanese machine orders have also topped estimates and boosted the Nikkei overnight.



Update by Ishaq Siddiqi, Market Analyst,
16-Jan-14, 10:12am:

Crude Oil Surges as Inventories Tumble



With Bank of America reporting strong results and equities rallying, the slumping stockpiles report sent crude oil markets higher. Dollar strength is targeting $1.3455 against the euro and $1.6264 against the pound, but is weighing on the gold market.



Update by Craig Inglis, Head of Product Development,