FTSE 100 - on the slide

As I write this there is great uncertainty over Greece, which rejected the latest financial rescue package at their referendum last weekend. The FTSE 100 share index fell quite a bit today (down 1.58%).  It looks increasingly likely this "Greek tragedy" will end with Greece defaulting on its debts and leaving the Euro and possibly the EC.  The financial markets will be hard hit especially in those countries that use the Euro. A last minute deal is still (just) possible but I think the markets have assumed Greece is out. Certainly the European finance ministers and heads of government have run out of patience. If Greece leaves the Euro many nations will be impacted, not least Germany that stands to lose an enormous amount. For the Greek people, the future looks very bad for many years. No doubt they will eventually bounce back, but they risk civil war in the meantime. No, this is a real crisis for all of Europe.

See  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx .

Greece and falling stock markets

With the continuing uncertainty over the Greek debt crisis it is not surprising that the FTSE 100 is still falling. Until the uncertainty goes, I think we'll see further falls. At the very least expect markets to be erratic.

Greece - market relief?

This may be just a blip but the FTSE 100 share index bounced back today on the news that Greece has been "saved" in the short-term, although they still have a massive debt to repay and Greece is in a real mess. As I see it, this is a temporary situation and Greece is still in deep trouble. The simple fact is that the Euro could simply fall apart if Greece defaults and Germany would be left with huge losses and they are desperate to avoid this.

No, the Euro is still in deep trouble. This crisis has a way to go yet. There is trouble ahead for sure.

FTSE 100 - up a bit?

The FTSE 100 share index is currently showing very modest gains, although a lot can happen in a day. Based on the continuing uncertainly in, and about, Europe, I'd expect volatile markets for a good while longer. Maybe after the situation in Greece becomes clearer and after the new budget, things might become more stable, even if lower?

FTSE 100 share index

The FTSE 100 share index has fallen back quite a bit from its recent highs. I am not too surprised. Greece is still filled with uncertainty and we, in the UK, have an EU referendum coming up, probably next year, the outcome of which is far from certain.   Personally I think Greece will default and eventually leave the Eurozone.  Greece is not a good place to be currently. The UK referendum is bound to create a climate of uncertainty. Markets like stability.

I hope we, in the UK, vote to stay in the EU, but that some of its ways are changed. It does seem bogged down with rules that work against an open market, which is really what we joined in 1975. Some of our population issues are of our own making due to our relatively good economy, but I still feel we, the UK, should have the last word on who can stay and work here, not the bureaucrats in Brussels.  At the moment, the EU seems to have the last word.

If we do not want a federal Europe that is our decision. We have always been "on the edge" of Europe both politically and geographically and I hope this continues. Yes to a common EU market, but no to the UK in the Euro and a federal Europe. Fine for those that want it.  Actually the whole EU would benefit from some reform. In many countries the pressure is building and the politicians need to listen to the voice of the people.

FTSE 100 falls

6946.28 today so quite a large fall in the FTSE 100 share index.  I think we can expect quite large  fluctuations in the index in the period close to the UK General Election. It could go up or down as we are very likely to end up with a hung parliament, coalitions and uncertainty for a few weeks.

FTSE 100

At the moment the FTSE 100 share index is over 7100 - giddy heights! With the election not many weeks away and a very close run contest, I expect the markets to tumble with the uncertainty of the outcome. The last poll I saw showed Conservatives and Labour neck and neck. The UKIP vote could lose Conservative votes.

I shall probably vote Lib Dem again.

FTSE 100 up today

The FTSE 100 share index was up again today by 0.54%. It is still some way below its high spot which was over 7000. As the next General Election approaches and there is continuing uncertainty in Greece, more rapid fluctuations are likely.

At the moment, the outcome of the next General Election outcome is a total guess. The 2 big parties (Conservatives and Labour) are still neck and neck at 34% according to recent opinion polls.

Big FTSE 100 falls

The FTSE 100 index fell to 6773 tonight, which is a fall of 1.72%. I think further falls are possible as we run towards the next General Election, the outcome of which is very uncertain.

Falling FTSE 100

Already this morning, the FTSE 100 share index has tumbled 1.27% and I have the feeling further falls are likely.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx .

FTSE 100 below 7000 again?

Although there is still a chance it will creep back again, it looks like the FTSE 100 will close below 7000 this evening. With the continued uncertainty in Europe I can see it falling back quite a bit in the coming months.

FTSE 100 falls a bit

Although still above 7000, the FTSE 100 index fell 0.26% today. It was in positive territory for most of the day.

I think we could see a lot of turbulence in the run-up to the next UK General Election and in the days and weeks that follow. All the polls suggest a tight result with a clear winner unlikely.

It would not surprise me to have another coalition government. In my view this would be no bad thing if the Lib-Dems were part. I hope UKIP do not do well as they seem to be a messy party with few thought out policies. All they really want it seems is the UK out of Europe. Most of us want a better deal with more control of our borders, but a vote for one of the major parties is likely to be more useful in a "first past the post" election

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/markets/europe/lse_ukx .

FTSE 100 reaches new heights

Today, the FTSE 100 reached new heights, some way above 7000. I wonder if it will crash soon?

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32014998 .

FTSE 100 - will it reach 7000 today?

The FTSE 100 share index has been up and down recently.  However, it is edging (on average) ever closer to the 7000 barrier and as long as it continues its climb today, it could end the day above 7000. We'll soon know. If not today, it seems likely this barrier will be broken, although it could fall again just as fast.

UPDATE 1508z:   At the moment, the FTSE 100 index is at 6991.41.

UPDATE 1614z:  Well, it climbed over 7000 and currently is at 7013.

UPDATE 2005z:  It ended the day at 7022.5 i.e. way up.   I wonder how long before it has a dramatic fall?

FTSE 100 index and Sepura shares (SEPU)

The FTSE 100 share index has recovered a little of the big losses of yesterday when the markets were spooked by the slowdown in China and possible interest rate rises in USA. Sepura (my old company) lost ground a bit today.

Against the euro, the pound got better today ending up at 1.418 euros to the UK pound. I still think a Greek exit from the euro is highly possible as I cannot see a quick fix to their debt problems.   The Greeks still hate the Germans as a result of WW2. This could end in real disaster for Greece. A return to their old national currency would not be an easy move.

Have you noticed how the Japanese yen has weakened in recent years? Not many years ago it was about 125 yen to the UK pound. Now it is more like 183 yen to the UK pound and has been as high as 189 yen to the pound.

FTSE 100 and the 7000 barrier?

At only about 50 points to go, the FTSE 100 could well  go through the 7000 barrier in the coming days. This of course, assumes no sudden shocks. These are entirely possible and the share index could drop hundreds in a matter of days. In a way it is surprising it is doing as well as it is with a General Election now only a few months away and all the uncertainty over Greece and the euro.  It is almost as if  "the herd" is willing it higher.

I am no financial expert, but I can see the index crossing the 7000 barrier and then dropping back considerably later in the year. But who expected oil prices to drop so dramatically?

Market stability?

The FTSE 100 closed about 37 points higher today, an all time high.  The pound is worth 1.365 euros. Apparently the Greeks have reached agreement with their creditors for a 4 month delay in debt repayments.

It remains to be seen if this is the end of the Greek crisis or just a postponement of the inevitable?

FTSE 100

Although down (slightly) on yesterday, the FTSE 100 seems to be recovering and should be back in positive territory this afternoon barring any shocks.

UPDATE 1410z:  Still gradually coming back. Still negative, but only just.

UPDATE 1735z:  FTSE 100 ended the day 0.09% up.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business/market_data/stockmarket/3/default.stm .

FTSE 100 end the day well up

The FTSE 100 share index ended the day up 1.32% up. It is not far off its highest ever figure for some time, but the markets remain very volatile and tomorrow it could well fall back again.

FTSE 100

The FTSE 100 share index has fallen this morning, although it may be staging a bit of a comeback?  Sepura shares (my old company) also seem to be sliding a bit too.