Rolling coverage of the global markets as Middle East tensions subside, just a week after US strikes killed a top Iranian official The Dow Jones Industrial Average could break above 29,000 for the first time today. That’s the forecast by Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group. He says markets are “throwing caution to the wind” when it come to the US and Iran, though the tragic downing of the Ukrainian plane over Iran could end up being another “flashpoint.” US President Donald Trump has said the US- China trade deal is to be signed January 15. The direct benefits of more amicable relations between the US and China are plain to see in reports of rising iPhone sales in China and new record highs for the Apple share price. Apple is leading the charge taking the Dow Jones above 29,000 for the first time. An update has been issued on the winding up of the Woodford Equity Income Fund. Its administrator Link Fund Solutions says BlackRock has raised around £1.9bn through the sale of assets, which represents around 63% of the value of the total fund. This change to the timetable is required to ensure that investors retain exposure to the equity market for the entire period prior to the Fund being wound up as required by the regulations. This delay also allows a significant portion of the Fund’s holdings in money market instruments to be liquidated in a way that minimises costs to the Fund. Continue reading... |