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Thursday, November 27, 2008

BetOnMarkets Morning Report

With US markets closed for thanksgiving, European equities are enjoying a relatively quiet session. In fact, the FTSE 100 is currently trading within its tightest range since the end of September. Credit markets are continuing to unfreeze and the VIX Volatility index yesterday closed below its 50 period moving average for the first time since the start of September. Implied volatility levels remain high but at least there are signs of calm creeping into equity markets.

Recent events in India have so far failed to have too much of an impact of equities, with most European stocks moving little after this mornings opening flurry. It is worth noting the muted reaction in gold prices at this time. Gold is traditionally seen as a safe haven in troubled times, yet despite the traumatic events in India Gold has barely moved at all over the last couple of days. With the implied risk of world governments defaulting on their bonds increasing, one would also have expected gold prices to increase as investors seek out safe havens for their assets. There are many factors affecting the price of gold, not least the strength of the dollar, but perhaps today’s lack of reaction is another indicator that volatility is set to decrease further as we approach the last month of a tumultuous year. Just last week, 2008 was set to be the worst year on record for many markets. Although this year will undoubtedly go down in the history books no matter what happens from here, there is a chance that it won’t end as it began.

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