The calamity of uncertainty for Brexit Britain
The markets have recovered a little since their initial crash in March, but there is a real risk that a second crash is on its way. As tensions rise between the US and China and another wave of redundancies across Europe looms as governments’ fiscal interventions tail off, a hard Brexit may just be enough to cause another sharp decline in investor sentiment. 2020 seems to be a triple threat year.
VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR Face-to-face negotiations resumed last week between Britain and the EU after three months of video conferencing. They
IS THERE GOOD NEWS? In short, maybe. For some investors, the opportunity to buy cheap stock right now might be very attractive. If the second crash does come as expected, it could be a prime time to pick up a few bargains. It’s still a brave person’s game though and buying shares on the decline isn’t always going to net you the long-term gains you’re looking for.
Diversification across a number of industries, especially renewable energy and technology, both of
quickly broke down as discussions reached
which showed strong potential pre-
an impasse, and the two opposing sides
pandemic, might offer a little light at
failed to reach even basic consensus on
the end of the 2020 tunnel.
the terms of the divorce. Investors fear now that crashing out of the EU will result
Uncertainty seems to be the presiding
in defaulting to World Trade Organisation
theme this year, and there is little
terms, which means unfavourable tariffs
indication this is set to change any time
and quotas. For many, this makes other
soon. For many, pragmatism is the new
markets outside of the UK look far less
normal and lack of information and clarity
uncertain, and thus alluring.
f rom the Brexit negotiations will only prolong that. It might be a year to wait
Asia is set to continue to benefit from a
and watch to see how things unfold, with
tumultuous Europe.
investors both inside and outside of the
Nausicca Delfas, the Financial Conduct
Perhaps we’ve had enough uncertainty
Authority’s Director of International,
already to last us a lifetime.
UK taking advice to not hold their breath.
was quoted in a recent interview with Bloomberg, “if the two sides fail to provide companies cross-border access, known as equivalence, equity and derivativestrading business could face disruption. European investors might also be required to trade shares inside the bloc unless they’re given access to U.K. markets”. Furthermore, with a continued lack of information from the negotiations about what it will cost to do business once Britain and the EU part ways, plenty of investors will see this uncertainty as a reason to keep their money away from such worrisome markets.
0 80 | I N T E R N AT I ON AL INVE STO R MAGAZ INE