US tariff talks: Reconciling the irreconcilable

A turnaround in Asian markets has seen US futures rise and eased the pressure on European equity markets. The last two months have seen global sentiment become more fragile, but the one thing that has kept markets going is the reliance on investors to buy on the dips.

The last week had undermined that position in what was a worrying sign for the wider markets, but investors appear to be feeling slightly more resilient Monday.

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has taken on the unenviable task of attempting to resolve the trade dispute between the US and China via negotiation – however, he may be trying to reconcile the irreconcilable.

The idea that, as one of the largest holders of US treasuries, China will be expected to help finance the growing US fiscal deficit, but is also expected to reduce its trade surplus with the US by as much as $100 billion to satisfy Trump's demands, appears to be a major contradiction. The question for investors is whether this adds up.

Another day, another flurry of activity in what has become one of the most vitriolic and antagonistic hostile merger bids since Kraft purchased Cadbury in 2010.

GKN and Melrose investors have just three days to wait until the final count is in and much will depend on short versus long term investors.

This bid has raised several questions about the difference in UK takeover rules versus other European countries and, irrespective of the result, may provide a catalyst for the government to review the current rules to make sure they have the right balance between competition and protection.

• The week ahead: GKN vs Melrose Final Round

Source: interactive investor                Past performance is not a guide to future performance

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