Measure for measure

An improvement in relations between the US and North Korea is good news for investors, writes Ed Wiltshire.

James Balfour considers the implications of a tie-up between Sainsbury’s and Asda on the grocery retailing sector.

With sentiment towards equities having taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, we consider where markets may be heading and what action, if any, investors should take.

The US economy is enjoying its third longest span of uninterrupted growth since records began. While some argue it is a matter of time until the next recession arrives, the alarm bells are not ringing just yet.

A new pilot scheme could give investors greater access to China’s vast equity market. But the project may also affect the performance of existing Hong Kong-listed shares, says Will Ballard.

The rise of the newly-affluent millennial generation is disrupting traditional industries in emerging markets – and bringing new risks and opportunities for investors.

By electing Cyril Ramaphosa as its new leader, the African National Congress has shown it is ready for change – but Jacob Zuma could be an obstacle to progress, says Bryony Deuchars.

Uncertainty surrounding the UK economy is potentially driving a new wave of outward merger and acquisition activity.

With ambitious new targets for electric vehicles and vast opportunities in self-driving vehicles and the share-riding sector, China has the potential to reshape the global autos sector.

Correlations in equity markets have fallen dramatically since the beginning of 2017. We look at the drivers of this trend and the implications for investors.

While aggregate volatility of major stock indices continues to be atypically low, slowly but surely uncertainty is building up again in financial markets. Investors should take note.

While US equities may look expensive using some traditional yardsticks, there is reason to expect their marked outperformance of the past three decades may continue, argues Giles Parkinson.