Sabuhi Gard

Why global leaders should keep their mouths shut

Sometimes as an investor, you wish your Prime Minister or President would keep their thoughts to themselves. Perhaps hold off on that keynote speech about Brexit? Brush over that State of the Union address?

Why? You may ask. Because it plays havoc with your investment strategy, that’s why. And I don’t think the likes of Theresa May and Donald Trump realise what they might be doing to someone’s investment portfolio.

The research from spread-betting firm ETX Capital shows that large fluctuations in the value of the pound can be seen after Mrs May’s speeches.

Source: ETX Capital

Last year, the pound was weak against a basket of currencies, including the euro and dollar. But it is debatable whether this is solely due to Theresa May’s speech-making abilities, or more to do with the volatile nature of the US Presidency and the ongoing Brexit negotiations.

Neil Wilson, Senior Market Analyst at ETX Capital says:

‘Theresa May’s speeches outlining her government’s approach to Brexit clearly have a big impact on the pound’s short-term movements.

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