Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news Heads-up: UBS have upgraded their view on global equities to ‘attractive’, a sign that they think investors should be putting more money into shares. Despite the angst in parts of the market that valuations have risen too high, UBS reckon share prices have further to climb. “We think investors should review current allocations to equities and ensure they are at least consistent with, or modestly higher than, their long-term strategic asset allocation targets. If investors are currently under allocated to equities, we believe they should reallocate excess cash, bond, or high yield credit holdings toward stocks.” “We prefer areas that are exposed to secu­lar growth, like the US, China, (particularly China’s tech sector, which we rate among the Most Attractive sectors globally), as well as global technology, transformational inno­vations (AI, Power and resources, and Longevity), and pockets with clear catalysts that could drive earnings upgrades (Japan and global banks).” Continue reading...

The Oscar-winner best known for her many collaborations with Woody Allen, as well as films including Reds, The First Wives Club and The Book Club, has died Diane Keaton, one of the best-loved film stars of the past 50 years, has died at the age of 79 in California. The news was confirmed by People magazine. Further details are not available at this time, and her loved ones have asked for privacy, according to a family spokesperson. Continue reading...