Dull, dull, dull. Another lacklustre session which saw us creep up from opening lows in a rangebound tape which was as indecisive as you like, with sentiment tainted overnight by Powell, despite offering nothing new, where he reiterated his stance of a no-risk free policy path ahead.
Still basking in the memory of an (overally large) bowl of spicy vodka pasta which was put down earlier. Easily the day’s highlight (sad as that may be). Says it all really about how thrilling today was (alongside how dull my life has become), but this did make up for the lack of zing in markets earlier, which really was just a case of business as usual.
Heathrow airport evacuated last night on a ‘hazardous materials’ alert – Not really the sort of news you want to hear on the eve before a flight to Barcelona and is a warning which felt somewhat premature given the real hazardous cargo from the desk here didn’t depart for ITF until this morning!
A very, very slow start to the week that was. Tube strikes turned the streets of London into some sort of warped e-bike Tour de France this morning, and a not a whole lot to move the needle behind the screens really as we await US CPI Thursday, and closer to home the outcome of the latest French confidence vote.
Well, after what’s been a fairly lively start to September – the past 24 hours have seen the dust settle, as easing yields across the globe have stabilized the equity complex which in turn has pretty much taken us just below where we started the week in Europe.
Well, the last Bank Holiday of the summer here in London has come and gone. One that didn’t disappoint by any means thanks to some cracking weather but as is always the case – over in a flash and plenty to catch up on this morning. For what’s supposed to be a quiet holiday stretch, I think it’s fair to say that we’ve had no shortage of headlines…
An air conditioning malfunction resulting in scorching hot air blasted down on you during peak summer? Exactly what the doctor ordered to ensure that patience was thin earlier during one of the quietest periods of the year. Bank holiday this weekend? Can’t come quick enough.
55 was the number of roller coasters ridden in a single week to break the Guinness World Record. Not sure how much dopamine you’d have left after that – but one can only guess the new record holder has also been stuck behind the screens lately where this low-volume slog pushed him over the edge in seeking thrills elsewhere…
I’ve got two strong contenders for today’s instalment of The World’s Gone Mad. Top spot goes to the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Close second goes to Invitin, a French start-up which gives engaged couples the chance to sell wedding invites online to complete strangers. Credit to anyone relaxed enough to try it, but the risk/reward there does look heavily skewed to the downside..
Shorts in the office? Well, after four heatwaves in London this summer, I can see the appeal. Professional? Not in the slightest. And honestly, I don’t think it’s fair on the city to have my pins out on display. The fact this debate has made it into the FT is surely a sign of the times and to be honest – everywhere you look, the world has gone a bit bonkers.