MARKET UPDATE – 18 JANUARY 2021

Despite a strong start to the year, the UK stock market eroded some of those
gains last week in light of negative economic news. Meanwhile, the world
keeps a watchful eye on global vaccination programmes amidst rising Covid19 cases.

• 5 themes for 2021
  We have identified 5 themes we believe will drive markets in 2021. These are the recovery from Covid-19, reflation, globalization, regulation of the tech industry and how we ‘build back better’. Our 2021 Investment Outlook look at these themes in detail.

• UK equities slip last week
  The UK economy shrank for the first time in six months in November as the UK entered its second lockdown. Amidst increased concerns of the economic fallout of Covid-19, UK shares fell last week after a strong start to 2021.

• Covid-19 cases continue to surge
  Covid-19 cases continue to surge globally, forcing governments to enforce stricter
  lockdown measures putting pressure on economies and stock markets. China reported
  its highest number of new Covid-19 cases in more than 10 months.

• Weak figures from the US
  Unemployment, retail sales and consumer sentiment figures all disappointed last week
  and the S&P 500, DJIA and NASDAQ were all down as a result. President-elect Joe
  Biden announced a $1.9trn coronavirus stimulus package.

• The Week Ahead
  • UK releases data on consumer confidence, retail sales and public sector borrowing
  • EU leaders meet to discuss vaccine rollout coordination. ECB rate decision
  • Joe Biden sworn in as the 46th president of the United States of America

To hear more about these topics, please download the latest episode of
The Monday Investment Club podcast.