A higher revision to earlier estimates of fourth quarter US economic growth and more signs of easing geopolitical tensions on the Korean Peninsula have helped to ease some nerves. The tide of selling in shares settled down but bond yields continue to drop as investors flock to the safety of fixed income.
The ongoing weakness in previously high-flying tech stocks continues to cause nervy trading in markets.
On Wednesday, it was Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) in the firing line. Chatter that US President Donald Trump wants to ‘go after’ Amazon’s tax treatment sent the online shopping giant’s shares tumbling on the open of Wall Street trading.
It seems like there is no place to hide in tech anymore. The privacy problems with social media companies, safety issues in autonomous driving and a history of aggressive offshore tax policies all call out for tighter regulation.
With no place to hide in tech, investors are increasingly turning to healthcare. A desire among healthcare firms to streamline their portfolio of businesses has caused a bonanza of industry consolidation. Shares of Shire (LON:SHP) popped 20% on talk of a takeover offer by Takeda Pharmaceutical (T:4502). The FTSE 350 Health Care index jumped to a 9-week high on the news. Looking for takeover targets is an attractive trade when wider market are in trouble.
US GDP was revised higher to 2.9% boosted by a rise in consumer spending over the holiday period. A rebound in the dollar after the stronger growth data sent major currencies and dollar-denominated commodities lower across the board. The dollar should find a bid as a haven asset as long as uncertainty about the outlook for international trade continues.
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