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CharlotteIG

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Blog Entries posted by CharlotteIG

  1. CharlotteIG

    Brexit Update: for EEA clients

    By CharlotteIG,


    Essential
    Brexit Update: for EEA clients
    As we’ll no longer be able to service EEA clients after the Brexit transition period ends, your CFD account will be set to ‘closings only’ from 31 December 2020. You’ll have at least 30 days to close your positions, before they are closed at the prevailing price from 31 January 2021. Your account will then be closed.

    If you have previously agreed to transfer your account to IG Europe but have not received confirmation that the transfer has taken place, please email the helpdesk / live chat us as soon as possible so we can look into this.

    What if I want to keep trading CFDs with IG?

    Transfer your account to IG Europe to keep trading CFDs with IG. IG Europe is based in Germany and is authorised and regulated by BaFin and Bundesbank. It offers a range of financial products depending on your location, including CFDs, options and turbos.

    To transfer, please log in to My IG and follow the prompts. If you do not see any prompts, please reply to this email as soon as possible – and no later than 8 January 2021.

    Please note that, after 31 December, you will still be placed on closings only until your account has been successfully transferred. Therefore if you consent to the transfer, you won’t be able to open any new positions from 31 December until the transfer has taken place. We expect the transfer to happen in mid-January, and we will notify you of your transfer date in advance.
    What if I want to keep spread betting with IG?

    Transfer your account to IG Europe to keep spread betting with IG. IG Europe is based in Germany and is authorised and regulated by BaFin and Bundesbank. It offers a range of financial products depending on your location, including spread bets, CFDs, options and turbos.

    To transfer, please log in to My IG and follow the prompts. If you do not see any prompts, please reply to this email as soon as possible – and no later than 8 January 2021.

    Please note that, after 31 December, you will still be placed on closings only until your account has been successfully transferred. Therefore if you consent to the transfer and verify your ID, you won’t be able to open any new positions from 31 December until the transfer has taken place. We expect the transfer to happen in mid-January, and we will notify you of your transfer date in advance.

    What if I want to keep share dealing with IG?
    After 31 December 2020, we will no longer be able to offer share dealing accounts to EEA clients. If you have a share dealing account with us, it will therefore be set to ‘closings only’ from 31 December 2020 and we reserve the right to sell your holdings and close your account from 31 March. This means that you’ll have at least three months to close your positions or transfer them to another provider.

    Please note that we will not charge you any commission for selling your shares between 31 December 2020 and 31 March 2021.

    You can find out how to transfer your positions out of IG here. Please note you may experience a delay in having your positions moved.
     
  2. CharlotteIG

    Presidents' Day trading hours 2021

    By CharlotteIG,


    Trading hour changes
    Presidents' Day trading hours 2021
    There will be some changes to our normal opening hours on Presidents’ Day – also known as Washington’s Birthday. Certain markets will be affected on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February 2021. Check the table below, and find out how these changes could impact your trading. Monday 15 February US equities and soft commodities are closed

    Canadian equities are closed (Family Day)

    US index futures close early at 6pm. We will make out-of-hours prices on the Dow, S&P and Nasdaq until futures reopen at 11pm

    US energies, metals (including Spot Gold and Silver), bonds, US interest rates and Dollar Basket close early at 6pm. They reopen at 11pm

    UK energies open as normal

    The Volatility index closes early at 4:30pm. It reopens at 11pm

    London Sugar closes early at 5pm Tuesday 16 February Livestock opens at 2:30pm and lumber at 3pm All times listed here are UK time. This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it is possible that these hours could change. We're here to help If you have any questions about this or need help with your account, you'll find quick answers in help and support. You can also get in touch with our team 24 hours a day from 8am Saturday to 10pm Friday (UK time).
  3. CharlotteIG
    We're offering weekly equity options on the platform for some stocks over earning season. Meaning you don't have to call us if you want to trade certain equity options. This week it's Twitter Inc. We're also offering Tesla but that will stay on the platform going forward whereas the weekly options will change depending on which week of earnings season we're in. 
     
    What is an Equity option?
    Equity options are a form of derivative used exclusively to trade shares as the underlying asset.
    In essence, equity options work in an extremely similar way to other options, such as forex or commodities. They offer the trader the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (or sell) a set amount of shares at a certain level (referred to as the ‘strike price’) before it expires. To buy an option, traders will pay a premium.
    When are these available to trade?
    These equity options will be available in the main session (14:30 - 21:00 UK time). 
    Where to find them?
    You can find them under 'Weekly US Equity options' on the left list on your web platform. 

     
    Earning season information for this month: 

  4. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments 8 Feb - 15 Feb

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 11th Feb 2021. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.

    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
    Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    UKX
    TSCO LN
    15/02/2021
    Special Div
    50.93
    NIFTY
    HMCL IN
    15/02/2021
    Special Div
    500
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
     
  5. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments 1 Feb - 8 Feb

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 1st Feb 2021. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.

    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
    Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    AS51
    SAR AU
    02/02/2021
    Special Div
    5.4286
     
     
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
     
  6. CharlotteIG
    Gamestop AMC trading restrictions
    Due to the recent extreme volatility, and in order to prioritise the service we give our existing clients, we are not allowing any new positions to be opened on the US stocks GameStop and AMC Entertainment.

    These restrictions apply to all IG accounts, and will be reviewed regularly. You will still be able to close any open positions that you have in these stocks. Any orders that you have already placed on these two stocks will remain.

    In addition, if you have any spread betting or CFD positions on either stock, please be aware that the margin required to keep your positions open will increase to that listed below from 4pm (UK time) on Monday 1 February. Please ensure that you have enough money on your account to cover the margin requirement. Stock New margin AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc 100% GameStop Corp 100%  
    Margin increase
    Due to increased volatility, from 4pm (UK time) on 1 February 2021 we are increasing margin requirements for a range of stocks: Stock Tier 1 margin Palantir Technologies Inc 50% Macerich Co 100% Blackberry Ltd (CA) 100% AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc 100% GameStop Corp 100% Blackberry Ltd (US) 100% SunPower Corp 100% Gogo Inc 100% Bed Bath & Beyond Inc 100% Accelerate Diagnostics Inc 50% Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc 100% National Beverage Corp 100% AMC Networks Inc 100% American Airlines Group Inc (All Sessions) 25% Nokia OYJ - ADR 25% Nokia OYJ (Fin) 25% Nokia OYJ (DE) 25% Nokia OYJ (SE) 25% Nokia Corporation 25% ContextLogic Inc 100% Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc (Ord) 100% Sundial Growers Inc 100% Dillard's Inc 100% Fossil Group Inc 100% iRobot Corp 100% Tootsie Roll Industries Inc 100% National CineMedia Inc 100% CEL-SCI Corporation 100% GSX Techedu Inc 100% Vir Biotechnology Inc 100% Seritage Growth Properties 100% How will I be affected? If you have any open positions on these stocks at 4pm (UK time) on Monday 1 February 2021, then the margin required to keep those positions open will change. You’ll need to have enough money in your account to cover the increase and prevent your positions from being closed out.

    Margin requirements for working orders will also be subject to the new rate.

    Changes to margin rates are the same for daily funded bets and forward bets, and for cash CFDs. For full details of how we calculate our margins, please contact us on the details below.
  7. CharlotteIG
    Investors and traders would do well to remember that there are plenty of markets to choose from – it’s not always necessary to follow the crowd.
      The recent volatility in certain stocks has sparked renewed interest in the market across all sections of the media. The names of these stocks, and others that might be viewed as possible candidates, have been emblazoned across news reports and headlines.
    Such an increase in their visibility will undoubtedly lead many to think that these are the stocks to buy right now, to the detriment of all others. It is understandable – humans will see others getting involved in all the excitement, with talk of huge wins, and will want to get involved themselves. Previous market manias like bitcoin, or tech stocks, seem dull by comparison.
    Market history teaches us that following the crowd rarely ends well. Usually, by the time something has hit the headlines the ‘obvious trade’ is over, or at least the most significant chunk of it anyway. Nobody talked about bitcoin at $1000, but at $19,000 it was everywhere. No one wanted to talk about buying stocks at the lows in 2008, or in late 2018 or March 2020 when they had endured heavy falls. But when stocks hit new records after these sell-offs there was plenty of focus on them.
    The spotlight of media attention will make it seem like the only stocks in the market worth trading are the ones making the headlines. But this isn’t true. ‘It’s not a stock market, it’s a market of stocks’, goes the old adage. Just because a company isn’t seeing its share price gyrate by tens or even hundreds of percents a day doesn’t mean it isn’t worth considering for a potential trade.
    Everyone has their own risk tolerance. Some people, for example, experienced traders, are used to big swings in prices and can stomach the changes in profit and loss that go with them. Others shy away from such extremes in volatility, which is a perfectly acceptable way to trade or invest.
    It is important to remember the time element too. Fortunes can be made and lost in the stock market, and in a variety of time frames. It isn’t necessary just to look to the end of the day. Longer-term trades, with smaller position sizes, can help promote a calmer approach, and with a greater length of time comes a different view of how much a trade might make. A day trader might look for ten or twenty points, but those looking to hold a trade for weeks or even longer will be expecting the move to cover hundreds or even thousands of points.
    In any trading strategy, the most important element is to make sure that your mistakes are survivable. Being stopped out and losing 2% of your account is no problem – being stopped out and losing 50% (or even more) is. There’s no rule that says you have to be in the hottest stocks, or that you have to look to make big money in one day.
    In trading, as in life, it is important to find what works for you. Chasing the big volatility might seem like fun, but it’s not the only way to trade.
       Chris Beauchamp | Chief Market Analyst, London | Publication date: Friday 29 January 2021 15:08
  8. CharlotteIG

    GameStop shares: what you need to know

    By CharlotteIG,


    Analyst article
    The surge in GameStop has caught the market’s attention, and that of financial media. A small retail stock, in an industry in long-term decline, has seen its market value rise very rapidly, as retail traders, coordinating via the website Reddit, have bought into the stock using options, forcing the hedge funds that have taken short positions in it to close out their trades, pushing the stock yet higher.

    What is a short squeeze?
    This short squeeze is a classic market move, familiar to many traders, and is something that can occur in almost any market, if the conditions are right. In this, the conditions were that short positions had been built up in a company that had seen its stock price fall nearly 95% from its 2013 high. This ‘one-way’ trade had continued regardless of the moves in broader indices, as investors took advantage of the fall in traditional retail volumes, leaving companies like GameStop with declining businesses.
    All seemed to work well, until traders on the ‘Wall Street bets’ sub-Reddit decided to start buying the stock. When the stock rises, some shorts have to cover their position by closing out and buying back the stock. This in turn drives the price higher, forcing out others, and so on. A short squeeze develops, which can, as in this case, drive the price to dizzying highs that are arguably entirely unconnected with the actual business.
    Some might suggest this is market manipulation, but the short positions in a company are public knowledge, and it is not actually illegal for ordinary investors to club together in the same stocks. Traders who short need to be aware that such squeezes can happen and should also realise that the vast majority of trades, particularly in equities, are on the long side. Most investors, whether retail or professional, buy stocks in the hope that they will go up.
    Shorting is an important part of the market and helps the activity of ‘price discovery’ to develop. It also helps liquidity and should be viewed as an underhand activity. But while share prices can ‘only’ go to zero, giving long investors a theoretical floor, they can, in theory, go as high as they like. Thus, those with short positions, can, if they do not manage their risk properly, suffer unlimited losses.
    Continued gains are not guaranteed
    While GameStop, and others that have been heavily shorted, has enjoyed a huge rally, this does not mean that continued gains are guaranteed. The future of any trade is always uncertain, and after such a huge ride there may be many investors, of all types, who still think that the shares are overvalued, and will look to short them once again. Regardless of whether an investor trades long or short, they must make sure that they have a clear risk management plan in place, with stop levels clearly defined.
    We are currently seeing increased volatility in certain stocks, including GameStop and AMC. This increases the risk of sudden, large or rapid loss and the potential for gaps, where stocks fall dramatically when the market opens.
    Please note that IG does not offer options on GameStop or AMC Entertainment, or the ability to short these stocksIt must be stressed that IG does not offer options on GameStop, with only spread bet, CFD trades or share dealing available on our platform.
    The activity in these stocks has been confined to a small part of the market, with normal price action continuing in the vast majority of stocks. It will command plenty of attention in the media, and the excitement will undoubtedly provide an attraction for many traders, but sometimes it is better to watch from afar rather than attempt to jump in to such a volatile situation.
  9. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments 18 Jan - 25 Jan

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 18th Jan 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.



    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
    Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    RTY
    INDT US
    21/01/2021
    Special Div
    199
    RTY
    CVLY US
    25/01/2021
    Special Div
    2
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  10. CharlotteIG

    Shape IG's future

    By CharlotteIG,


    Product updates
    We've added this blog so community members can have their say on projects we're looking to add in the future. Your vote will help us determine what our project teams work on to shape the future of IG.  
    Please have a look at all of the ideas below before voting. If you have time we would also appreciate you leaving any feedback positive or negative about the ideas, in the comment section. 
    1. Live Streamed Calendar Events
    • Access to live streams of important economic and market announcements – accessed via the economic calendar
    • IG will provide streams from major central bank announcements, major company earnings calls and other important company events (e.g. product announcements)
    • You’ll be able to set reminders and alerts from these from the economic calendar, and then watch them in a window while interacting with the rest of the platform


     
    2. Personalised Notifications
    • A service that provides you with personalised push notifications based on your trading activity and interaction with IG. These will cover:
    • Trade analytics insights
    • Recommendations for IG Academy courses based on your recent activity
    • What other notifications would you like here?
    • This feature builds on current automatic personalised notifications about major movements in the markets you’re most interested in
    • How would you like these to be delivered?

     
    3. Personalised workspace 
    What is it?
    The personalised workspace will give you the option for IG to pre-populate your workspace and watchlists depending on your interests. We’ll base this on the assets and products you’re interested in
    What kind of things can I use it for?
    • The personalised workspace will help you to:
    • Stay on top of the markets you’ve interacted most with
    • Reduce workspace clutter by deprioritising things you haven’t looked at for a while
    What else would you like from a personalised workspace?

     
    4. IG Academy walkthroughs
    What is it?
    • Currently IG Academy courses are self contained – and use text and diagrams to explain theoretical trading concepts
    • IG Academy Walkthroughs will demonstrate how practical concepts work using our platform

     
    5. Ask IG ... 
    What is it?
    • A range of IG services, accessible through voice channels. You’ll be able to access Ask IG through your preferred smart speaker (e.g. Google Home, Alexa), through the voice function or your phone (e.g. Siri) or through the IG app
    What kind of things can I use it for?
    • You’ll be able to use IG to:
    • Answer questions about your account and open positions
    • Ask questions about the wider markets
    What else would you like to use Ask IG for?

     
    As mentioned earlier in the post, if you have any feedback on any of these or if you want to tell us answers to any of the bolded questions please do so in the comment sections. This post will be open until 28th February 2020, 23:59, and the information we get from it is being incorporated when deciding on our next project. 
    Thanks everyone for getting involved! 
     
  11. CharlotteIG
    We're offering weekly equity options on the platform for some stocks over earning season. Meaning you don't have to call us if you want to trade certain equity options. This week it's Apple, Boeing and Facebook. We're also offering Tesla but that will stay on the platform going forward whereas the weekly options will change depending on which week of earnings season we're in. 
     
    What is an Equity option?
    Equity options are a form of derivative used exclusively to trade shares as the underlying asset.
    In essence, equity options work in an extremely similar way to other options, such as forex or commodities. They offer the trader the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (or sell) a set amount of shares at a certain level (referred to as the ‘strike price’) before it expires. To buy an option, traders will pay a premium.
    When are these available to trade?
    These equity options will be available in the main session (14:30 - 21:00 UK time). 
    Where to find them?
    You can find them under 'Weekly US Equity options' on the left list on your web platform. 

     
    Earning season information for this month: 

  12. CharlotteIG
    US Reporting Season has begun, and will continue until the middle of February.

    The market data that matters:
    EPS Growth Expected (YoY)
    Revenue Growth Expected (YoY)
    Current Price-to-Earnings
    Est. FY1 Price-to-earnings
    Current Dividend Yield
    -9.2%
    -0.6%
    30.7
    22.9
    1.53%
     
     
     
     
     
    What is the market expecting out of this earnings season?
    The markets are expecting another contraction in earnings growth for the quarter, as corporate profits continue to feel the effects of the Covid-19 recession. Entering into earnings season, market consensus was projecting a year-over-year in earnings of 9.4%, according to data compiled by financial data company FactSet. If another quarter of negative earnings growth were to materialize, it would mark the 5th out of the last 6 reporting periods in which earnings contracted, despite the S&P500 continued to push to fresh record highs.
    What are ther key themes to watch out of earnings season?
    Will guidance reaffirm lofty stock market valuations?
    With expectations that earnings ought to contract for another quarter, the key issue for market participants this reporting period will be whether companies deliver guidance that reflects the positivity currently baked into prices. In a bullish sign for market fundamentals, profit estimates began an upgrade cycle in the last quarter, as market participants factored in greater optimism about the economic outlook going into 2020. Even still, valuations remain very high across the S&P500, with the trailing price-to-earnings ratio historically elevated above 30 – a level not seen since the Dot.com boom and bust.
    What impact will fiscal stimulus and vaccines have on profits?
    The upgrading cycle for corporate profits has come as a result of two macroeconomic factors: the roll-out of multiple Covid-19 vaccines in the US, as well as the deluge of fiscal stimulus coming from US President Joe Biden’s administration. The dynamic has sparked the so-called “reflation trade”, which has seen stocks sensitive to the business cycle outperform the market. Confirmation from company’s that they see a material pick up in profits owing to the vaccine and stimulus ought to buoy markets, who are positioned for a big uptick in economic activity this year.
    Which sectors will lead and lag?
    As investors position for an uptick in the global business cycle, the performance of cyclical sectors this earnings season will be closely watched. According to FactSet, the materials sector is set to deliver closer to market-leading earnings growth for the quarter, aided by the recent recovery in global commodity prices. Previous market leaders in the health care and IT sectors, which outperformed the market last year, are also expected to deliver positive earnings. On the side of the equation, some areas of the market sensitive to economic growth are expected to show considerable falls in EPS: the industrials and energy sectors ought to perform the worst this reporting period.
    Source: FactSet How could this earnings season impact the financial markets?
    Earnings season is already delivering considerable upsize surprises for the market, as company profits recover and valuations experience an upgrade cycle. There is tremendous optimism in the markets right now, with market participants taking on risk to position for an economic recovery driven by vaccine developments and fuelled by a stimulus. Despite calls of complacency amongst investors, the trend for the S&P500 looks skewed clearly to the upside, albeit with the momentum that’s slowing down marginally. Continued positive surprises from S&P500 companies ought to support the index’s rise, as it continues to clock-up fresh record highs.
               Kyle Rodda | Market Analyst, Australia
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  13. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments 25 Jan - 1 Feb

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 25th Jan 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.

    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
    Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    AS51
    SAR AU
    02/02/2021
    Special Div
    54.286
    RTY
    CVLY US
    25/01/2021
    Special Div
    2
    RTY
    PFBI US
    29/01/2021
    Special Div
    100
     
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
     
     
  14. CharlotteIG
    We're offering weekly equity options on the platform for some stocks over earning season. Meaning you don't have to call us if you want to trade certain equity options. This week it's Netflix. We're also offering Tesla but that will stay on the platform going forward whereas the weekly options will change depending on which week of earnings season we're in. 
     
    What is an Equity option?
    Equity options are a form of derivative used exclusively to trade shares as the underlying asset.
    In essence, equity options work in an extremely similar way to other options, such as forex or commodities. They offer the trader the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (or sell) a set amount of shares at a certain level (referred to as the ‘strike price’) before it expires. To buy an option, traders will pay a premium.
    When are these available to trade?
    These equity options will be available in the main session (14:30 - 21:00 UK time). 
    Where to find them?
    You can find them under 'Weekly US Equity options' on the left list on your web platform. 

     
    Earning season information for this month: 

  15. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments for 11-Jan to 18-Jan

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 11th Jan 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.



    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
    Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    UKK
    BME LN
    14/01/2021
    Special Div
    20
    RTY
    CNXN US
    11/01/2021
    Special Div
    32
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  16. CharlotteIG
    Brexit Update: for EEA clients - FAQs
    How do I agree to the transfer to IG Europe after Brexit?
    Due to Brexit your IG accounts with IG UK companies will be set to closings only on the 31st of December 2020.
    We’ve established a new European entity, IG Europe, to ensure you can keep using our services after Brexit. To do so you’ll need to agree to transfer your account(s) to IG Europe by 8 January 2021.
    How do I agree to the transfer?
    Simply login to your account via My IG and follow the prompts.
    Verifying your identity
    To complete the transfer process, you’ll also need to verify your identity before 8 January 2021. Simply log in to your My IG and follow the prompts to follow the verification process. Video verification can be done on any day of the week between 8am and midnight (UK time). Make sure that you have your passport on hand, and you’ll be done in just a few minutes.
    Verification can take up to 24 hours to be processed, so please get started before 8 January 2021. If you don’t verify your identity in time, we won’t be able to transfer your account(s) to IG Europe and we may need to close them.
    What does the transfer involve?
    Once you’ve agreed to the transfer and followed the steps to verify your ID, we’ll migrate your existing account(s) to IG Europe for you.
    The platform won’t be affected, so at the time of the transfer:
    Your login details, watchlists and trading experience will remain the same
    The transfer may result in a taxable profit or loss for Spread betting accounts. This shouldn’t apply if you’re a resident of the UK or Ireland, but will depend on your personal circumstances
    The money in your current accounts will be transferred to your IG Europe account(s)
    Spread betting and CFD accounts
    As part of the transfer process, we’ll need to close your open positions and then re-open them with IG Europe at the original opening levels. This will ensure that your running P&L won’t be affected
    Share dealing accounts
    Share dealing accounts won’t be transferred during this process.
    Your account will be set to closings only and you will have up until 31 March 2021 to sell your holdings (commission free) or transfer out to a different broker.
    To learn more on how to transfer out your holdings please click here.
    What will happen to my funds?
    Your funds will be transferred to IG Europe and placed in segregated bank accounts in accordance with BaFin’s client money rules, as opposed to FCA rules.
    You’re currently protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, but once your funds are transferred you’ll be covered by the EdW, which is the German equivalent.
    When will the transfer take place?
    The transfer will take place mid-January 2021. We will provide the exact date and time in advance so that you can monitor your positions.
    Please note that between the 31 December 2020 and the migration date you will not be able to open any new positions due to your account being placed on closings only.
    Where is IG Europe based?
    IG Europe is based in Germany and is authorized and regulated by BaFin and Bundesbank. IGE offers a range of financial products, including CFDs, options and turbo warrants.
    What happens if I don’t agree to the transfer?
    If no deal is agreed, we will lose our ability to service your account(s) from the UK and they will need to be closed.
    New website address
    After the transfer is complete, you should log in to your account at www.ig.com/ie
    You can continue to log in to your account via any one of IG’s websites, but you will need to use www.ig.com/ie if you want to find information about the products and services relevant to you.
  17. CharlotteIG

    Dividend Adjustments for 4-Jan to 11-Jan

    By CharlotteIG,


    Dividend Adjustments
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 4th Jan 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.



    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  18. CharlotteIG

    Our trading hours this Christmas

    By CharlotteIG,


    Trading hour changes
    You can find changes to trading hours over the Christmas period listed below, in UK time. Please make sure that you’re familiar with the changes, as they may affect your trades. Date Changes Thursday 24 December Half day in most markets. All out-of-hours markets close at 6.15pm, forex and cryptocurrencies close at 10pm. Friday 25 December All markets closed. Saturday 26 December Normal weekend trading (8am open). Sunday 27 December Normal weekend trading. Monday 28 December UK & Irish shares closed. Most European & US shares open. Tuesday 29 December Normal trading. Wednesday 30 December Normal trading. Thursday 31 December Half day in most European markets. Forex, cryptocurrencies and out-of-hours markets close at 10pm. Friday 1 January All markets closed. Saturday 2 January Normal weekend trading (8am open). Sunday 3 January Normal weekend trading. Monday 4 January Normal trading. This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it's possible that these hours could change. For full information on our most popular markets' dealing hours over Christmas, visit our Christmas opening hours page.
  19. CharlotteIG

    Robinhood Grey market

    By CharlotteIG,

    Robinhood Grey market
    By taking a position on a grey market, you’re taking a position on a company’s potential market cap ahead of its initial public offering (IPO). The price of a grey market is a prediction of what the company’s total market capitalisation will be at the end of its first trading day.
    If you think the estimated value of the company is over- or under-priced, a grey market enables you to take advantage of this disparity before the shares are released publicly on the stock exchange.

    Why are traders interested in grey market stocks?
    Traders are interested in grey market stocks because it can be a way of taking advantage of movements in the company’s share price before it has actually listed.
    Also, any activity is usually taken as an indicator for the direction the stock price will take once it has listed. The pre-market price can be used to gauge the demand for the shares.
    How to trade grey market stocks.
    Grey market stocks are traded over-the-counter (OTC), which means that they are not offered by a stock exchange, but only by brokers and trading providers.
    By taking a position on a grey market stock, you’re taking a position on a company’s potential market capitalisation ahead of its IPO. If you think that the company will be worth more than the price indicated, you can buy the market. If you think that the price is an overvaluation, you can sell.

    When it comes to settling your trade, this can only be done once official trading of the share has begun. IG calculates the settlement price based on the official closing price of stock on after first day of trading, as reported by Bloomberg.
     
    We're LIVE with a grey market on the forthcoming Robinhood Grey market.
    The market Settles basis the market capitalisation of Robinhood at the official close of the primary exchange on the 1st day of unconditional trading excluding any outstanding and optional shares. All OPEN trades will be voided if there is no floatation by 31st Dec 2023.
    Float date is yet to be announced.
    Market info:
    Trading hours: Around the clock : bar 2115 Fri - 0800 Sat 
    Deposit factor: 25%
    Lot size: $10
    Min bet: £1 or $1 for CFD
    Max online size per clip: £50 (at this early stage)
     
    We are not offering working orders or non-guaranteed stops/ limits.
    CR stops are available with a stop distance of 5pts. Max size of £50 (for now) at any one level with 1 pt. spacings. CR premium has been set as 0.5pts.
     
    The market can found in the Popular Markets watchlist on Puredeal, WTP and mobile apps and the specific IPO Grey markets watchlist if available. It will not appear in the WTP search function.

     
    This market is available to clients in the UK, Australia, and most European sites (France, Spain and Portugal excluded). It is not available for clients based in Dubai, Japan, and Singapore.
  20. CharlotteIG

    We’re adding more extended-hours stocks

    By CharlotteIG,


    Product updates
    We’re pleased to announce that from 3pm (UK time) on 4 January 2021, we’ll add the following stocks to our All Session US shares offering:
    NIO Inc - ADR Peloton Interactive Inc Zoom Video Communications Inc Beyond Meat Inc Airbnb Inc You’ll be able to trade CFDs and spread bet on these stocks from 9am – 1am Monday to Thursday, and from 9am – 10pm on Fridays (all UK times).

    For share dealing, we’ll quote these stocks from 12pm – 10.30pm Monday to Thursday and from 12pm – 10pm on Fridays (all UK times).
    Will my positions be affected?
    If you trade CFDs and/or spread bet with us, normal margin requirements will apply during these extended hours. Stops, limits and orders to open can be triggered during these times so please ensure that you have sufficient funds in your account to cover any open positions on these markets.
  21. CharlotteIG
    Dividend Adjustments for 7-Dec to 14-Dec
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 7-Dec 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.




    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
            Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    OMX
    TELIA SS
    03/12/2020
    Special Div
    65
    NDX
    COST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    1000
    NDX
    FAST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    40
    RTY
    ITIC US
    30/11/2020
    Special Div
    1500
    RTY
    IIIN US
    30/11/2020
    Special Div
    150
    SPX
    COST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    1000
    SPX
    FAST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    40
     
     
     
     
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  22. CharlotteIG
    Changes to trading hours over the US Thanksgiving period
    There will be some changes to our normal opening hours over the US Thanksgiving period. Check the table below to find out how these could impact your trading.
    Thursday 26 November:
    US equity markets are closed. US index futures close early at 6pm. We’ll make an out-of-hours price on Wall Street, US 500 and NASDAQ from 6pm until the futures reopen at 11pm. The VIX closes early at 4.30pm. US Crude closes early at 6pm and Brent Crude closes at 6.30pm. US rates and the Dollar Index close at 6pm. Metals, including gold and silver, close at 6.45pm. US soft commodities are closed. London Sugar closes early at 5pm. Friday 27 November:
    US equity markets close early at 6pm – with no pre or post-market trading. US index futures and the VIX close early at 6.15pm. We’ll make an out-of-hours price on Wall Street, US 500 and NASDAQ from 6.15pm until 9pm. NYMEX Crude closes at 6.45pm and Brent Crude closes at 7pm.   US rates and the Dollar Index close at 6.15pm.   Metals, including gold and silver, close at 6.45pm.   New York Cotton opens late at 1pm. US grain futures open late at 2.30pm. US soft commodities (except US Sugar) will close early at 6.05pm.  Livestock trades from 2.30pm to 6.05pm. Lumber trades from 3pm to 6.05pm. The futures desk and all 24-hour indices close at 9pm. FX closes at 10pm.  All times listed here are UK time. These hours are accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it’s possible that they could change.
     
  23. CharlotteIG
    Dividend Adjustments for 16-Nov to 23-Nov
    Expected index adjustments 
    Please see the expected dividend adjustment figures for a number of our major indices for the week commencing 23-Nov 2020. If you have any queries or questions on this please let us know in the comments section below. For further information regarding dividend adjustments, and how they affect  your positions, please take a look at the video.




    NB: All dividend adjustments are forecasts and therefore speculative. A dividend adjustment is a 
    cash neutral adjustment on your account.
     
            Special Dividends
            Index
    Bloomberg Code
    Effective Date
    Summary
    Dividend Amount
    MEXBOL
    WALMEX* MM
    23/11/2020
    Special Div
    45
    NDX
    COST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    1000
    NDX
    FAST US
    01/12/2020
    Special Div
    40
    RTY
    DHIL US
    24/11/2020
    Special Div
    1200
     
     
     
     
     
    How do dividend adjustments work? 
    This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
  24. CharlotteIG
    Will Synairgen shares keep soaring on new Covid-19 treatment?
    Synairgen shares are up 30% on Friday following positive trial data, with its new Covid-19 drug containing a protein that reduces the odds of developing severe symptoms and accelerates recovery.
    Synairgen shares soar 30% on new Covid-19 treatment The Southampton-based biotech company’s drug accelerates patients Covid-19 recovery Synairgen stock is up 2150% year-to-date. Shares in Synairgen are rallying sharply in today’s trade following positive trial data, with its new drug, known as SNG001, containing a protein that reduces the odds of developing severe symptoms of Covid-19.
    The small scale trial results were published in the peer-reviewed Lancet journal, showing positive results in hospitalised patients.
    Synairgen shares are up 30% to 130p at the time of publication, with the stock up 2150% year-to-date.
    Synairgen’s new drug could accelerate Covid-19 recovery
    The Southampton-based biotech company developed a naturally produced protein which helps the body fight viral infections. Synairgen, which was spun out of Southampton University said the drug ‘may have the potential as an inhaled drug to restore the lung's immune response and accelerate recovery from Covid-19’
    ‘The results confirm our belief that interferon beta, a widely known drug approved for use in its injectable form for other indications, may have the potential as an inhaled drug to restore the lung’s immune response and accelerate recovery from COVID-19,’ Professor Tom Wilkinson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Southampton and Lead Author, said.
    ‘This pH neutral, inhaled interferon beta-1a formulation (SNG001) provides high, local concentrations of the immune protein which boosts lung defences rather than targeting specific viral mechanisms,’ he said.
    ‘This might carry additional advantages of treating COVID19 when it occurs alongside infection by another respiratory virus such as influenza or Respiratory Syncytial Virus that may well be encountered in the winter months,’ Wilkinson added.
    Synairgen: technical analysis
    Taking a look at the chart of Synairgen, the stock is down 50% from the summer peak, according to Victoria Scholar, presenter and market analyst at IG.
    ‘The stock was under pressure earlier this week on the back of Pfizer’s vaccine hopes,’ she said. ‘But today shares are bouncing back, with a gap higher combined with a buy signal from the RSI.’
    ‘Nonetheless, the stock still remains some way below its descending trendline that’s been in place since October,’ Scholar added. ‘Having broken back up above the 38.2% Fibonacci level, it is now on track to test the 50% fib level at 165.77.

    Aaran Fronda | Financial writer, London | 
  25. CharlotteIG
    Election special - weekly report
    by Monte Safieddine @Monte_IG

    We’ve been here before, polls that show one side enjoying a sizeable lead And while 2020 may have felt like more than a decade, the 2016 surprise is still relatively fresh in the minds of those wondering which party will control which of the three There have been plenty of polls done by countless organizations, but thus far most show a comfortable lead for Democratic candidate Joe Biden, and for the Democratic party to retain control of the House of Representatives by an even healthier majority Furthermore, the percentage drop in the number of undecided voters since 2016 combined with the surge in early voting (more than half of 2016 ’s total) has locked in votes
    ahead of time, giving candidates a smaller chance to sway what few undecided voters remain, and if polls are correct would make it harder for Republicans to claw back lost territory and close the gap.
    The Senate where Republicans currently enjoy a majority show a handful of the 35 seats up for grabs as too close to call, making it difficult to rule out a 50 50 scenario that’ll require the Vice President to break the tie, meaning under that scenario whichever party controls the White House will also control the Senate.

    With any major fundamental event (think US Non Farm Payrolls or a central bank announcement), sizeable moves are the norm Short term risk taking might be limited prior, plenty may opt to stand on the sidelines waiting out the unknowns and re enter once the dust has settled, and fund managers worried over risk parameters getting triggered may reposition accordingly. Those that have built up decent market beating returns in what has been a volatile 2020 may choose to avoid risking denting their records for the year with only two months to go, avoiding what may be a chaotic few days that hopefully won’t extend into longer than that Furthermore, market makers that under normal circumstances would provide liquidity to the market may
    choose to withdraw to avoid a trend move opposite and get stuck in an illiquid environment (contracts between market makers and the exchanges where the latter pay the former to provide the market with liquidity can include clauses for market makers to withdraw liquidity in the face of fundamental events, and the US elections would easily fall within that category).
    The net result? Levels where orders would normally be resting that would cause prices to face resistance are at far greater risk of breaking, and with little volume resting in the market at price levels would make it far easier to kick prices in one direction or another Daily, weekly, and monthly pivot points would be at risk Lots of noise, trendless volatile moves, and false signals getting triggered come as no surprise. Technicals and sentiment usually hold less relevance in these scenarios, though they have been included in this report with the technical overview ‘ owing to the likelihood that levels historically have been at far greater risk of breaking and triggering smaller stop losses, even if prices eventually reversed and offered a trend move in favor of its technical overview pre event Sentiment analysis may show periods where majority bias outperforms and scenarios where the minority reaps big rewards, but under major fundamental events the results are far less conclusive Should election results be sorted swiftly with a clean, peaceful transition, and plenty will re emerge to position in the financial markets, allowing for moves thereafter to ‘ more easily.
    The stage may be set for the potential for increased volatility, though that doesn’t always guarantee that conformist breakout strategies in the current environment will outperform indefinitely and across all asset classes Last time around in 2016 the conclusion shocked the markets with few expecting the results to veer from the polls, and this time around a victory for either camp wouldn’t come as a significant surprise even with the margins widened between the presidential candidates It would also mean that if markets have priced for a ‘Blue Wave’ victory, further momentum in that favor beyond what is already priced in may be met with resistance. 
    Monetary and Fiscal Policy The contrast between the two political parties isn’t just on what they’ll be spending on, but on the size of any fiscal stimulus package, with Democrats in Congress proposing higher numbers than that of the Republican White House, which in turn is at odds with the Republican Senate that has been pushing for a smaller amount That has meant market expectations of a Blue Wave where the Democratic party controls all three would result in the biggest fiscal stimulus packages A Red Wave would also introduce fiscal stimulus, though expected to be of a smaller size, while mixed control would make it difficult to get any further fiscal stimulus passed, especially if of a larger size On the monetary front, while Trump has made clear his dislike for Federal Reserve ( Chairman Powell, his rhetoric has changed as of late given recent central bank easing and promises A Biden win would likely result in less pressure on the Fed to reduce rates and introduce further easing, and highly unlikely he’d openly advocate for negative rates as the incumbent has But overall, we’re assuming this is a case where policymakers have created a situation they can control, giving them multiple options in dealing with it The coronavirus clearly is one of being forced upon them, narrowing options regardless of who’s at the helm.
    Taxes, Regulation, Defense A rise in taxes (on the wealthy and corporations), increased regulation, and a dent in defense spending are common themes for Democrats when compared to Republican policies, and that’s expected to remain the case when considering a Trump vs Biden win Increased taxes and regulation are an obvious dent to company earnings and growth, while long term growth prospects are usually improved with fiscal restraint As for defense spending, even if it drops for the US government under a blue win as well as for its allies if there’s less US (i e Trump) pressure on NATO countries to increase spending, it may not translate into a drop globally given the plethora of conflicts emerging and ongoing, and may increase as some governments get more desperate.
    Oil: The energy commodity has had a lot to contend with this year, the pandemic briefly sending its price into negative territory as transportation demand plummeted and
    lockdowns went into effect Its managed to recover partially since, but rising coronavirus cases forcing governments into increasing curbs and reinstituting lockdowns has tested it once more A fall in prices due to a shock from a plummet in demand or an oil price war (arranged or otherwise) has hit higher cost producers in the US more so than oil
    producing governments, the latter having to contend with budget deficits and obligations on a national level but usually enjoying far lower production costs and capable of
    weathering the storm in the short term In the event of an upside shock to price, both Democrats and Republicans tend to rush to bring it back within range fearing the economic consequences of higher energy prices for an economy still heavily reliant on the energy commodity In the event of a price crash, oil companies who are based in the Republican heartland would prefer a Trump win that would result in supporting the sector and aiding in sidestepping environmental concerns, as well as interfering as was the case with and Friends’ A Biden win on the other hand, even if it doesn’t result in the infamous ban on fracking claims, would remove subsidies, could result in more supply out of Iran, and be less likely to interfere in a downward price shock, especially if (as with the oil price war of 2014 16 it results in weakening and pressuring geopolitical rivals. 
    Oil Companies: Given their reliance on higher oil prices as a perquisite to posting profits and ensuring dividend continuity, the net result for oil companies would be a preference for a Trump win over a Blue Wave, especially if the latter impose curbs that would dent transportation demand further, pass legislation that would be stricter for oil and gas companies, and push for emissions curbs in the automotive sector that would hasten the shift to transportation via alternative energy
    Alternative Energy Big incentives await the sector with a Biden win, with the move towards alternative energy gaining pace, while mixed control may result in the status quo.
    Indices A contested result would be a bearish case for US indices, but if the results (and any potential transition) go smoothly, would take some uncertainty out of what has been an already uncertain atmosphere Republican policies involve lower taxes, less regulation, and the absence of a minimum wage hike that are likely to positively resonate with big business, and in turn the popular indices representing large US companies While the difference may result in short term noise for the stock market, there are more underlying factors to note Central bank easing has translated into inflationary tendencies for asset prices in the financial market with few alternatives available in the bond market and even less in the real economy, and that combined with the government’s perception of the stock market as a bellwether for the economy will continue to offer a floor on any major price drops.
    Tech: It isn’t looking promising under a sweep of either political party, with both sides taking aim at the tech behemoths whose market share will likely continue to grow if the coronavirus is here for the long term and economies are forced into more curbs and restrictions Increased fiscal stimulus from Democrats is expected to be a boon for consumer staples and discretionary purchases (not necessarily for companies who will have to deal with higher minimum wages, rise in taxes and increased distancing requirements), and any increase in curbs from a Blue Wave will only translate into increasing reliance on tech companies to deliver where brick and mortar won’t be able to For tech companies, bigger may not necessarily translate into better when it comes to being in the spotlight of the government Under mixed control the damage is expected to be limiting, while a sweep (red or blue) would make tech titans an easier target.
    Trade: It’s no longer a question of a China rising, but how soon it’ll surpass the US in the remaining fields where it lags At this stage, it’s a strategic move for the US to try and contain its growth and ensure the ‘strategic competitor’ doesn’t take the number one spot, with previous Democratic and Republican presidential candidates both working in an indirect way by aiding surrounding neighbors and coordinating with allies, only to simultaneously increase the reliance of the US economy on its supply chains. Both sides of the isle have gotten more confrontational in talk and action against China, but it began with Trump taking a far more direct and unconventional approach, an approach that is expected to subside with a Biden win. An absence of rising tariffs would aid the global trade environment, ease USD illiquidity, take global indices higher, and give emerging market currencies a boost. A Trump win (regardless of who takes the House or Senate) would translate into more confrontation between the two heavyweights, and a further undoing of economic interdependence, yet to translate into losses for US companies reliant on the country both as a manufacturing powerhouse and (for some) providing the
    largest consumer base
    Banks: Regulatory changes from a Blue Wave would be negative for bank stocks, as would any increase in taxes and/or programs from the Democratic party to address inequality. That would translate into bearish moves, even if expectations are for rates to rise sooner under the blue party Mixed control would prevent any significant
    legislation from being passed, and in turn likely keep the current situation unchanged.
    Automotive: The domestic auto industry being based in a usually blue state while foreign automakers opening plants in red states meant that automakers usually preferred a Democratic presence in Washington to come to the sector’s aid in the event of a downturn, but not necessarily offer much upside potential The reason? The ‘Big Three’ are already trying to forge alliances to tackle a battery powered future, thanks to funds from primarily SUV sales, meaning any big legislative push for curbing emissions from team blue would hurt that aspect Mixed control of the three is unlikely to result in significant changes, and may in fact offer less uncertainty to the sector.
    Gold: While a bigger stimulus package from the Democrats would aid growth prospects in the short term, the US market isn’t a traditional one for purchases of the precious metal. And yet, a massive increase in gold purchases this year has aided in taking its price to record highs. The source however, has primarily been on the ETF front, and as a hedge against purchases in equities given the current state of the bond market that isn’t properly covering expectations of a weakened currency thanks to central bank intervention. Any undoing of that trade however, and the gains witnessed as of late are at risk of being undone, especially if a speculative move in the mid term wouldn’t receive central bank or government aid the way the stock market has been accustomed to it. Low rates for longer periods of time certainly make it an attractive asset to hold onto, and
    when it comes to a win for Democrats in the elections a weaker greenback in the short term could take prices higher, with a hike in Fed rates being brought forward undoing any short term gains in the medium term.
    Silver: While gold prices suffered at the start of the pandemic during the ‘sell everything’ moment, it was silver that underperformed heavily and briefly took the gold/silver ratio
    to a record high in the 126 s. It’s dropped back into the 70 80 ranges since, and the story has generally been one of bigger percentage volatility, reliant on rising gold prices to outperform while underperforming when gold prices retreat (in other words, see gold).
    US Dollar: Bigger stimulus plans combined with ongoing central bank easing at low rates for longer usually translates into a weaker currency, and it’s likely a potentially more relaxed trade atmosphere and less pressure on companies to shift operations and funds back to the US would aid global USD illiquidity pressures, and put the greenback into further retreat against the majors, as well as many emerging market currencies. The story may differ for commodity currencies, especially for those with an energy underlying
    should oil prices suffer another downside shock on domestic curbs or even a lockdown. However, whatever losses the dollar may suffer in the short to mid term are likely to be eventually undone in the mid to long term, as increased use of the greenback will only increase reliance on it for debt servicing.
    Cryptocurrencies: No one (at least privately) embraces competition, especially at the level that involves central banks and money/debt creation No surprise then that there have been plenty from both sides of the isle against the introduction of ‘ cryptocurrencies like Facebook’s Libra that in its initial proposal would have posed a threat to a core government function Trump’s attitude thus far has been more hands off, with a Biden win likely to result in increased regulation PayPal’s embrace has been seen as a positive for
    the sphere, but with so many Bitcoin untouched in wallets, its reliance as of late has been more on its use as a store of value instead of previous expectations of its promise as a global medium of exchange Absent any regulation, a weaker greenback would in theory aid cryptocurrencies whose money supply increase is limited compared to central banks as fresh lockdowns emerge Regulatory action, a speculative move (easy given lack of liquidity on the crypto exchanges), or another sell everything moment would be needed to
    convince holds to exit en masse.
     
    November 2, 2020- Week ahead: As if the US elections weren’t enough of an item, we’ve got significant fundamental events on the economic calendar. Three central bank announcements with the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) expected to reduce its key rate from its current record low 0.25% to 0.1%, and where it could in crease bond purchases on long term maturing debt. Both Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve are on Thursday, the former potentially raising asset purchase s a midst another lockdown and extension in its wage program. As for the latter, its statement following the elections will be closely read with regards to commentary ab out current economic conditions amidst
    rising coronavirus cases and the economic outlook, with its Chairman Powell questioned thereafter. The central bank recently ann ounced that its Main Street Lending
    Program would issue loans as low as $100,000 and reduce the fees for those loans, the previous minimum amount being $250,000.
    And then there’s the data. Weekend PMIs out of China from CFLP showed ongoing expansion in both the manufacturing and services sectors, and we’ll get the final
    figures out of Markit for the Eurozone and UK, Caixin for China, both Markit and ISM for the US, and Ivey for Canada. Once that’ s out of the way, focus will shift to US
    employment, with ADP’s non farm estimate on Wednesday projected to show a 690K increase, the usual Thursday unemployment claims that as of late has been beating
    estimates but are still stubbornly high, and the BLS’s Non Farm Payrolls on Friday where the unemployment rate is expected to drop a couple notches. The ongoing surge
    in coronavirus cases, any updates on the vaccine front, and earnings are other items to note.

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