Hrkn to .. The Financial Outlook for Personal Investors

Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor explains why the US Fed raised rates for the 10th time in 14 months to a 16-year-high, despite the turmoil in the American banking sector. It makes it all the more likely that the MPC will follow suit. Despite the American move, sterling is at an 11-month high against the dollar. She also looks at results from BP and Shell and discusses the major slide in oil prices.

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Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the importance of the American tech stocks, once the FANGs and now MAANAM. All suffered steep price falls last year but, of the $2.4tn rebound in the S&P 500, $1.6tn has come from these six. Russ points out that the better their share prices do, the less downside protection there is. Inflation and interest rates are also a consideration to their valuation. But with no correspondingly important UK tech stocks, they're vitally important to British investors through tracker or other investment vehicles, even if they might not realise it. If their momentum is to continue, their results must deliver.

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Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor summarises the latest UK inflation and employment statistics. In the light of general inflation remaining above 10% and with the likes of food and drink considerably higher than that, what do economists think will happen with interest rates? Is a hike more likely now? Will the economy fall into a recession this year? And will the UK stock market's tear come to an end?

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Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at gold, which recently went above $2,000 an ounce again. He asks how the metal, which produces no income, can be valued. Believing it is NOT an inflation hedge, he does think it can be a hedge against loss of faith in central bankers. Despite a round of mergers and acquisitions in the industry, while gold has risen 30% since 2020, gold shares, out of fashion, are only up 12%. While smaller and riskier than the giants, he wonders if some UK gold producers could be considered cheap.

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Russ Mould of A J Bell finds it curious that central bankers are not looking in the mirror, but blaming social media and older people for recent problems, given that an excess of cheap money is at the root of so much that has gone wong. He believes there will still be reckonings to come in some areas and that the chances of a recession in the US have increased. UK investors, though, should concentrate on value and ignore short-term static. Don't be influenced by the mistakes of others.

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Russ Mould of A JBell thinks Jeremy Hunt delivering the Budget did his best with a weak hand. Essentially, there is no money when the national interest bill is £100bn. Market nervousness about contagion from SVB and Credit Suisse Russ puts down to money being cheap for far too long. It has meant that too many people have done risky, silly things. Nervous investors should remember the basics, sticking to disciplined companies with sound management. He also wonders if 5% is the new 17%.

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Russ Mould of A J Bell looks at the results of Persimmon, the latest company offering a paper yield higher than 10% that turned out to be illusory. That the share price didn't fall further on terrible results shows that the market was ahead of the game. Russ looks at the sector as a whole. Some builders are trading at a discount to book value and sentiment will turn at some stage. But housebuilders are likely to be volatile and potential investors will have to be very brave.

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Victoria Scholar of Interactive Investor explains why supermarkets are rationing some fruit and vegetables. She also looks at results from Rolls-Royce, the first under its new CEO, as well as from BAE Systems (increasing its dividend), Heathrow Airport, where business is picking up less quickly than hoped for, advertising giant WPP and miner Rio Tino, which has slashed its dividend.

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Russ Mould of A J Bell takes a look at the banking sector. He points out that there are many similarities in the results from Barclays and Standard Chartered, with both showing the highest profits and dividends for some time. However, the market has reacted very differently, with Barclays punished and Standard boosted. He also discusses why banks might be being criticised by MPs and others for still squeezing savers.

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