Courtiers Wealth Management
Courtiers Wealth Management

News & Insights

March 2019 – Market Update

Loading
Market update

Please
Allow 'Marketing' cookies
to watch this video.

Global markets continued to perform well in February, following on from their excellent start to the year in January. The MSCI World index, which measures the performance of global developed market equities, gained a further +3.34%, bringing its total return for the year up to +10.82%. The S&P 500 index, which measures the performance of US stocks, has had its best start to a year since 1991, largely due decreasing trade tensions and reduced fears of interest rate rises.

In the UK, a new political group has formed. Two weeks ago, seven Labour MPs announced that they had resigned from the party and were forming the Independent Group. Since then the group has recruited a further four MPs – one from Labour and three from the Conservatives – making it as large as the Liberal Democrats within the House of Commons.

Market volatility may tick up in the coming weeks as we count down to the UK’s scheduled departure date from the European Union. On 12th March the House of Commons is due to vote on the government’s revised Brexit deal. If the deal is rejected, then MPs will have the opportunity to vote against a no-deal Brexit, and then for an extension to Article 50.

Here is the full round-up of February market performance. In the UK, the FTSE 100 index gained 2.29%, while medium and smaller companies, measured by the FTSE 250 ex IT index and the FTSE Small Cap ex IT index, put on +2.74% and +0.54% respectively. In the US, the S&P 500 index climbed +3.21%, while in Europe the Eurostoxx 50 index gathered +4.42%. Japanese stocks measured by the Topix index rose +2.60%.

Emerging market returns were also mixed. The MSCI Emerging Markets index gained +1.11% and Chinese equities measured by the MSCI China index lifted +3.48%. However Latin American equities, measured by the MSCI Latin America index, dropped -1.68% and Indian stocks measured by the IISL Nifty 50 PR index slipped -0.36%.

In the fixed income market, UK government bonds, measured by the FTSE Gilts All Stocks index, fell -0.88% and long dated (over 15 years to maturity) gilts lost -1.66%. European corporate bonds, measured by the Markit iBoxx Euro Corporates index, increased +0.71% while sterling denominated corporate bonds, measured by the Markit iBoxx Sterling Corporates index, returned +0.20%. In the high yield market, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Euro High Yield index and the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Sterling High Yield index grew +1.85% and +1.62% respectively.

Commodities had a mixed month. The S&P GSCI index, which consists of a basket of commodities including oil, metals and agricultural items, climbed +3.81%. Oil continued its lucrative start to the year as the price of a crude oil contract gained a further +6.38%. However the precious metals saw negative returns as the S&P GSCI Gold and Silver indices dipped -0.50% and -3.15% respectively. In the agricultural markets, corn and wheat declined -3.76% and -11.93% respectively.

In the FX markets, most foreign currencies performed badly against a rising pound. The US dollar and the euro depreciated -1.17% and -1.84% respectively against sterling.

(All the above returns are reflected on a local currency basis i.e. they do not factor in any relevant currency movements. Unless accompanied by PR (Price Return), they do include income.)

Issued by Courtiers Asset Management Limited, CAM0319220. Courtiers Asset Management Limited is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – Register No: 616322. Address: 18 Hart Street, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2AU. Telephone: 01491 578368 Fax: 01491 572294 Website: www.courtiers.co.uk.

Warning – the views expressed by Courtiers in this summary and any video and video transcripts, are reached from our own research. Courtiers cannot accept responsibility for any decisions taken as a result of reading this document, watching the featured video or reading the video transcript and investors are recommended to take independent professional advice before effecting transactions. The price of stocks, shares and funds, and the income from them, may fall as well as rise. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future returns.

We do not endorse nor accept responsibility for the content of any website not operated by Courtiers which you may visit by following a link from this article.

Share Article

Subscribe to News & Insights

This field is required
This field is required
Please provide a valid email address
*
Please accept