-- Investors should lock in gains on US defensive stocks as their recent outperformance has left valuations looking pricey, according to Morgan Stanley strategists.Belfast’s Grand Central Station Creates New Era for Northern Ireland’s Public TransportThe team led by Michael Wilson turned neutral on so-called defensives relative to economy-linked cyclical sectors, saying they are awaiting “more clarity” on jobs data, which they see as a key driver for stocks into the year end.
But last week’s Federal Reserve interest-rate cut — the first in in four years — has helped alleviate growth concerns. The S&P 500 Index hit a record high following the decision, and traders expect more easing before the end of the year. Other market strategists including at Citigroup and Barclays Plc have also turned more optimistic about the outlook for cyclicals, particularly in Europe. Sectors that are more sensitive to macroeconomic factors, like automakers and retail, make up a big part of the benchmark index in the region.However, JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategist Mislav Matejka said he remained bearish on European cyclical stocks amid an expected drop in bond yields, earnings downgrades and “unattractive valuations.
Most sub-postmasters are still reporting issues with the Horizon IT system that led to hundreds being wrongly convicted, a survey suggests. The inquiry into the Post Office's Horizon accounting software, and the associated prosecution of 700 sub-postmasters for theft and false accounting, is taking place to establish a clear account of the implementation and failure of the Fujitsu-created computer program.
Dublin, Sept. 23, 2024 -- The "Global Markets and Advanced Technologies for Paints and Coatings" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.The global market for paints and coatings was valued at $194.0 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from $203.8 billion in 2024 and should reach $263.2 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% from 2024 to 2029.