13 Quotes by Matt Buckland

Whether the FTSE can break through the key 5800 barrier remains to be seen but there's little fundamental data around just now that could support an extended rally.

Whether the FTSE can break through the key 5,800 barrier remains to be seen but there's little fundamental data around just now that could support an extended rally.

With the rate verdict due later, there's a cautious mood creeping into equity markets as although a 25-basis-point hike is widely expected, there's little consensus as to just how long the aggressive stance over interest rates will now continue for.

London equities continue to edge higher as the week progresses with rising oil prices, due to increased U.S. gasoline demand, lending a degree of support to the petrochemicals companies.

The fact that we're approaching the end of the quarter is being seen as a key driver here, although a generally buoyant mood amongst equities in Japan and much of Europe appears to be providing some support here too.

The petrochemicals sector looks set to remain squarely in focus as trading in 2006 gets under way.

Continuing takeover speculation on a host of companies may see another near term rally in equity markets.

Crude is back above $61 a barrel -- something that will buoy the likes of Shell and BP -- and in turn give the FTSE some support in early trade, but once again the implications this news has on industry as a whole may yet weigh on broader stocks in the days ahead.

Essentially traders can't seem to come to a consensus this week over the state of the US economy and this is leaving markets in a somewhat volatile state.