Friday 13th December 2019

Two significant deadlines today means, whatever happens, we can expect some volatility. The markets have surged on a potential breakthrough in US-China trade talks, much of the hope based on a tweet from President Trump and a subsequent report from Bloomberg that the deal now just needs the President’s signature. Secondly, UK polls close soon and the immediate exit polls will give a clearer picture of whether Boris Johnson will be able to push ahead with his Brexit deal, or whether a hung parliament will lead to continued uncertainty. Phil Dobbie asks NABs Gavin Friend what he expects to happen today – on both these events – and how the markets could react. Plus, a look ahead to US retail sales, on the back of the very strong non-farm payrolls last week.