Alex Rankine

Despite the shine coming off tech stocks this week, valuations have been boosted by loose money and government spending. 

Covid-19 cost world governments some $14trn in fiscal support last year, and this year average global public debt will hit 99.5% of GDP.

Despite roaring commodity prices and central bankers stoking inflation, gold is being left behind. But that won't last.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 stockmarket index has broken through the 30,000-point level for the first time since 1990.

Investors have piled into assets that stand to gain from a global recovery. And while there may be little evidence of inflation as yet, it will come; …

The FTSE 100 index – made up of unfashionable “old economy” stocks – has lagged other major stockmarkets. But global reflation should see its weakness…

Bond yields have been ticking back up since the autumn, with the benchmark US ten-year bond now above 1.2%. That could tempt investors away from share…

The price of bitcoin has surpassed $50,000 for the first time, as institutional adoption makes it an increasingly mainstream asset. But could its huge…

The pound has enjoyed a strong start to the year, but that isn’t great news for investors.

The US dollar, having been widely tipped to fall this year, is up by about 1.2% so far against a basket of six major trading partners’ currencies. But…

For the past ten years raw materials prices have languished in a bear market. But we could be about to see a new commodities supercycle that could riv…

The oil price slumped last spring as major economies locked down. But is has now returned to its pre-pandemic level as it hits $60 a barrel.

The Bank of England has been looking into the idea of setting negative interest rates. Could it happen?

Global investors have poured billions of dollars into emerging markets, leaving the MSCI Emerging Markets index up over 80% March last year. 

Stockmarkets have hit their first bout of turbulence of the year, but most are clinging onto January’s gains.

Brighter times are always promised for Brazil, but disappointment often follows. But with Brazilians finding a new zeal for stockmarket investing, tha…

Signs of overheating in the markets are everywhere, but that didn't stop US stocks hitting new record highs last week.

China’s CSI 300 stockmarket index gained 27% last year and is already up 4% in 2021, with investors being seduced by the country’s growth outlook.

After five years in the doldrums, the price of natural diamonds is climbing again.

With US stocks more expensive than before the Wall Street crash of 1929, there are growing signs of “mania”. But what will push markets over the edge?

With US consumer prices up by 1.4% in the last year, concern about inflation is now everywhere.

Commodities, including metals, energy and agricultural goods have seen prices climb steadily. With many societies are already on edge, we could see a …

With bitcoin hitting new highs last week, and close to becoming a mainstream investment, is it really gold for the 21st century?

The BSE Sensex benchmark index has soared by 90% since March, largely driven by foreign investors. But India's bull market is very vulnerable.

US stockmarkets seem more interested in the results of Senate elections in Georgia than on the lawless mob's raid on the country's Capitol building.

The Brent crude oil price its highest level since last February this week. And there could be more gains to come.

Democratic control of the US Congress would give Joe Biden huge scope to stimulate the economy. But willie mean a “healthy reflation” for the economy …

Last year was one to forget for European stockmarkets. But 2021 should prove better.

UK stocks shrugged off this week’s new lockdown. And provided the vaccination campaign goes ahead smoothly, traders will remain bullish. 

Gold has raced off the starting blocks for 2021, hitting a two-month high on Monday.

The MSCI Emerging Markets index plunged by 33% between 1 January and 23 March as economies locked down. But it has since rallied by 68%.

With chaos spreading through supply chains and talk of domestic virus restrictions remaining in place until Easter, markets have not been feeling fest…

Australia’s economy endured its first recession in 29 years in the first half of 2020. But things are now looking up.

2020 has been a landmark year for Chinese markets, with foreign investors snapping up more than ¥1trn of local assets.

It's been a miserable year for income investors. But recent months have brought signs that dividends will return to normal.

A lot of people seem to think that big price rises are a thing of the past. But investors could be hit with a few inflationary surprises in the coming…