No stopping the rally

Chris Beauchamp IG

Heading into the close, the FTSE 100 is 30 points higher, while US indices are surging once again.

US indices have edged off their highs of the day, as the president speaks, but US traders, looking forward to a long weekend, seem keen to maintain the positive momentum of the past few weeks. Options expiry and a fear of missing out on the general bounce have provided the foundation for a spike higher in equities, with Europe being dragged higher as well. China trade talks appear to be moving in the right direction, according to the president, which has further emboldened buyers. US indices have found reasons to be positive, but there is still plenty of ground to be recovered before we see new all-time highs, but the removal of trade wars as a reason to worry would certainly help matters.

UK banks take centre stage next week, following on from strong numbers from RBS. The sector seems in good shape, despite Brexit, although much depends on the shape of the world post-29 March. This is still too tough to call, but this week has shown that stalemate is still the order of the day.

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Chris Beauchamp

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