Hotel Bel-Air: a home away from Hollywood

The Hotel Bel-Air in California has long provided sanctuary to the stars

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/spending-it/travel-and-holidays/605632/hotel-bel-air-a-home-away-from-hollywood
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Market Spotlight: Bar Set Low For Today's NDP Release

USD On The RiseIt’s been a good start to the year for the US Dollar which rallied through the week, driven by the hawkish December FOMC minutes and a bumper ADP employment print. Focus now shifts to the headline event and the first US labour reports of the year. A buoyant Dollar on the back of yesterday’s ADP bonanza tells you that a tight labour market is good for USD, seemingly. With that in mind, the outlook today is for the US Dollar to rally if the NFP beats forecasts.Expectations for TodayIndeed, given that the forecast today is for 200k down from 263k prior, the bar is set quite low for a USD rally. Away from the headline reading, the unemployment rate is forecast to remain unchanged at 3.7% while wage growth is set to weaken to 0.4% from 0.6%. If seen, a drop in wages should help fuel expectations of a further cooling in US inflation ahead of next week’s CPI print, keeping USD supported on better growth projections. However, any unexpected uptick in the unemployment rate might dampen the rally, if seen.Where to Trade?The current meltdown in GBP looks likely to continue near-term with PM Rishi Sunak continuing to lose public support in the latest polls. Political uncertainty, resurgent covid levels, industrial action and the cost-of-living crisis are weighing heavily on GBP here making it a prime target for further losses against USD.Technical ViewsGBPUSDThe move back under the 1.2195 level spells trouble for GBPUSD. Now trading below the rising channel from last year’s lows, GBPUSD looks vulnerable to a run down towards the 1.474 level next if USD rallies today, in line with bearish momentum studies readings.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/market-spotlight-bar-set-low-for-today-s-ndp-release"
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FOMO Friday: FTSE Finds Form Early in 2023

FTSE Rallies Almost 4%With many traders still returning from their Christmas breaks, the first trading week of 2023 has been a relatively slow one, particularly in FX. However, with the December US labour reports due later today, there is still the potential for some fireworks to ring in the New Year. Away from FX, we’ve actually seen some decent volatility this week and talking with traders ahead of the weekend, it seems the move capturing the most attention is the almost 4% rally in the FTSE. So, let’s take a look at what caused the move and, as ever, if you caught it? Well done! And if not, there’s always next week!What Caused The Move?Better UK Earnings Outlook The main driver behind the move higher in the UK’s leading blue-chip index was a set of positive profit forecasts from leading UK retailers. High Street icon Next upped its profit forecasts for year end 2022 on the back of stronger-than-expected Christmas sales. The clothing and homeware retailer noted that sales of full price items jumped by almost 5% in the nine weeks through to the end of the year, in stark contrast to the -2% forecasted. As such, Next increased its year end profit forecasts by £20 million.Greggs PLC was another leading UK name seen upping its year-end profit forecasts. The company (famous for its sausage rolls) noted that total sales had jumped by more than 20% over the year, topping £1.5 billion.  Indeed, despite rising inflation, the group noted that sales continued to soar throughout the year citing the likelihood that consumers were shunning higher cost food items in favour of Greggs’ cheaper food options.GBP Weakness & Inflation Cooling Away from positive earnings stories, the rally in the FTSE this week can also be attributed to the weakness we’re seeing in GBP. The Pound has fallen further this week as political uncertainty linked to the Sunak government continues to hurt GBP’s prospects. Additionally, growing expectations of a further cooling in inflation are helping lift stock sentiment, with traders eyeing that the BOE might look to slow down the pace of rate hikes sooner than expected.Upside RisksLooking ahead, the focus for the FTSE is likely to stay with UK earnings as more companies are scheduled to repot next week. The big theme to look out for is any companies reporting better-than-expected December sales which should help keep investor sentiment skewed to the upside. UK GDP will also be in focus next week with bulls needing a positive surprise to help keep the rally alive.Technical ViewsFTSEThe rally in the FTSE this week has seen price breaking above the bear channel top and above the resistance area around 7375.8. This is a big break for the index and if bulls can hold above here, the focus is on a further break of the 7678.8 level and a continuation higher towards 7904.7 next. In line with bullish momentum studies readings.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/fomo-friday-ftse-finds-form-early-in-2023"
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House prices fall for four months straight

UK house prices dipped by 1.5% in December, the fourth consecutive month, Halifax’s latest House Price Index reveals

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/investments/property/house-prices/605631/halifax-house-prices-fall-fourth-consecutive-month
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The best one-year fixed savings accounts – January 2023

Earn almost 5% on one-year fixed savings accounts.

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/savings/605505/best-one-year-fixed-savings-accounts
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4 small caps to buy in 2023

The UK’s AIM market is full of opportunities for investors, writes Michael Taylor of Shifting Shares. Here are his top small caps to buy for 2023

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/investments/605630/small-caps-to-buy
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Market Spotlight: Alibaba Shares Higher Again Following Financing News

Financing News Drives Stock HigherShares in Chinese tech giant Alibaba are trading over 3% higher ahead of the open today. This comes on the back of a 15% move higher yesterday as the company’s shares gapped higher at the open.  The lift in bullish sentiment is a reaction to the news that Chinese regulators have approved the Ant Group’s request increase the registered capital for the company’s consumer section from 8 billion yuan to 18.5 billion yuan.Better Conditions for AlibabaThe announcement has stoked optimism that the Chinese government’s crackdown on the group’s internet sector has ended. Alibaba CEO Jack Ma had fallen foul of the government, leading to much stricter business conditions for the group which drove stock prices lower into the pandemic. However, this latest news suggests a better relationship between the two, a major boost for Chinese stocks and the tech sector broadly.Chinese Stocks Shrugging Off Covid FearsChinese US-listed stocks have seen their strongest start to the year on record as a result of the move in Alibaba this week. Indeed, Chinese stocks on the whole are rallying with the Shanghai Composite seeing straight gains this week despite the worrying news around the escalating covid crisis in China. For now, at least, it seems that positive news elsewhere is helping offset bearish sentiment.Technical ViewsAlibabaThe breakout above the bear trend line and the 86.90 level resistance is an important development for the stock. Price is currently testing the bull channel top ahead of the next big resistance level around the 110.48 mark. While price holds above 86.90, the focus is on a continued push higher towards 129.64 longer term.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/market-spotlight-alibaba-shares-higher-again-following-financing-news"
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Cocoa Futures ( CC1! ), H4 Potential for Bullish Rise

Type: Bullish RiseKey Levels:Resistance:2671Pivot:2570Support:2470Preferred Case:Looking at the H4 chart, my overall bias for CC1! is bullish due to the current price above the Ichimoku cloud , indicating a bullish market structure. If this bullish momentum continues, expect price to head back up towards the resistance at 2671, where the previous swing high is.Alternative Scenario:Price may break the pivot at 2570, where the 50% Fibonacci line is before heading towards the support level at 2470, where the 61.8% Fibonacci line is.Fundamentals:There are no major news.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/cocoa-futures-cc1-h4-potential-for-bullish-rise5"
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S&P 500 E-mini Futures ( ES1! ), H4 Potential for Bearish Drop

Type: Bearish DropKey Levels:Resistance:4049.00Pivot:3914.00Support:3757.50Preferred Case:Looking at the H4 chart, my overall bias for SPX is bearish due to the current price crossing below the Ichimoku cloud , indicating a bearish market. If this bearish momentum continues, expect price to continue heading towards the support at 3757.50, where the 161.8% Fibonacci line is.Alternative Scenario:Price could head back up to retest the pivot at 3914.00, where the previous swing low is. Fundamentals:There are no major news.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/s-and-p-500-e-mini-futures-es1-h4-potential-for-bearish-drop5"
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Top investment ideas for 2023: silver, tech and drugs

Our writers’ top investment ideas for 2023 include a cybersecurity stock, bitcoin and a psychedelic treatment for depression.

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/investments/605628/investment-ideas-for-2023
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How to reduce your IHT bill by gifting

Inheritance tax bills can be complex, but passing on some of your wealth to your children by gifting can help reduce how much of your estate ends up with the tax man. Lisa Conway-Hughes, a qualified financial adviser, explains how to keep your IHT bill low.

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/tax/inheritance-tax/605627/iht-bill-gifting
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Soybean Futures ( ZS1! ), H4 Potential for Bullish Continuation

Type: Bullish ContinuationKey Levels:Resistance:1535.00Pivot:1492.25Support:1457.75Preferred Case:Looking at the H4 chart, my overall bias for ZS1! is bullish due to the current price crossing above the Ichimoku cloud , indicating a bullish market. If this bullish momentum continues, expect price to possibly continue heading towards the resistance at 1535.00, where the recent high isAlternative Scenario:Price may head back down to break the pivot at 1492.25, where the 38.2% Fibonacci line is before heading towards the support at 1457.75, where the 61.8% Fibonacci line is.Fundamentals:There are no major news.

from Tickmill Expert Blog - Forex Traders Blog https://www.tickmill.com/blog/soybean-futures-zs1-h4-potential-for-bullish-continuation4"
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January’s Premium Bond millionaire winners revealed – how to check if you’ve won

Millions of savers are celebrating the New Year with a tax-free cash prize following the January Premium Bond draw. We explain how to check if you’re one of the lucky winners this month.

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/605625/premium-bond-winners-january
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What’s in store for the UK economy in 2023?

The UK economy is facing a lot of problems right now. What are the main challenges and how will these affect the economy in the year ahead?

from Moneyweek RSS Feed https://moneyweek.com/economy/605624/uk-economy-outlook-2023
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