ST. JAMES'S PLACE PLC Global stocks rose broadly but modestly in a week of relatively calm trading. In the US, the S&P 500 index fell 0.2% on Friday - after Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen said that she still expected interest rates to rise sometime this year - but gained 0.2% in the week. US consumer prices rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in April, according to the Department of Labor. Energy prices slumped 1.3% last month while food prices were unchanged. The core Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food and energy costs, jumped 0.3%, driven by another increase in housing expenses and a gain in medical care costs.
US housing starts soared 20.2% in April to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.4 million units - a seven-year high - whilst permits for home construction rose 10.1%. US jobless claims increased slightly but remained near a 15-year low.
View this week's Market Bulletin, which contains thoughts and opinions of St. James's Place and our range of investment managers on the key issues affecting investors.
- US Federal Reserve affirms plans to raise interest rates later this year.
- 'Good deflation' comes to the UK for the first time since 1960 but should be short-lived.
- Richard Colwell of Columbia Threadneedle comments on the first rise in M&S profits in four years.
- As the gap widens between retirement expectations and reality, savers should consider taking action before the Summer Budget.
View this week's Market Bulletin, which contains thoughts and opinions of St. James's Place and our range of investment managers on the key issues affecting investors.
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