Matthew Buckland Quotations

Yesterday's better than expected U.S. housing data combined with resurgent oil prices looks set to leave equities under a degree of pressure.

We're looking at a somewhat flat start to the week. Oil prices look set to play a key role in directing equities.

Softer oil prices may lend some support across the board.

Negative sentiment is expected to weigh on European equities.

With merger speculation failing to die out and strengthening metals prices, European markets are set for another strong start.

With the FOMC rate verdict due later today, there's a cautious mood creeping into equity markets as although a 25 basis point hike is widely expected, there's little consensus as to just how long the aggressive stance over interest rates will now continue for.

Today's market may well face a struggle for direction. Uncertainty over oil prices and the future direction for U.S. interest rates has made it a somewhat choppy week.

The prospect for some profit taking ahead of the weekend break doubtless remains.

Upbeat earnings news left Wall Street with a triple digit gain through yesterday's session and this looks set to lift European equities in early trade.

Falling oil prices look set to weigh on the petrochemicals sector.

Equity markets finished last week on an upbeat footing but the resurgent price of oil and the fact some Asian markets have been closed for the week's opening session to mark the Chinese New Year may make further direction difficult to find in the short term.

The resurgent price of oil may make further direction difficult to find in the short term.

There's no argument for a quick spate of booking profits on the week as we're sitting close to current lows, but the diminishing prospect of a rate cut in the UK combined with improving cash yields across the Atlantic could make further notable gains difficult to find.

The MPC meeting minutes due next Wednesday will provide additional direction here, but anything that reinforces the need for a quick reduction is yields on cash deposits could again offer further support for stocks.

Oil prices creeping back towards the key $60 mark may well provide some support for the petrochemicals sector.

(That) may offer further indications as to the threat posed by inflation and precisely when we might see the FOMC tighten interest rates further.

Although consensus is that the next move will be downward, it still seems as if this is going to be some time away.