Is confidence leaving European markets?
Over the last couple of weeks we have seen a gradual deterioration in confidence in European and worldwide stock markets amid concerns that the Greek sovereign debt crisis could bring down the European Union. As we have mentioned on numerous occasions, confidence is a major element of any investment market and without it there are problems. So is confidence leaving European markets?
There is no doubt that investors have less confidence in the European Union today than they had two weeks ago, two months ago or two years ago. This gradual deterioration in confidence is having a major impact upon European markets and there are many who believe the Greek economy could be the first of many to collapse in the months ahead. Indeed, even the UK economy, which many believe is one of the strongest in Europe, is coming under renewed pressure this weekend amid problems with the government.
It is obvious that without a coalition government and a stable political scene in the UK no comments from Gordon Brown or Alistair Darling will have any impact whatsoever on investors. As a consequence, we are unlikely to see any major announcements on the UK economy until a new government is in place and focused and firm policies are confirmed.
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