Epic Investment Partners Views: The Week Ahead

The week ahead promises a wealth of economic data releases that will shed light on the current state of the UK, European, and US economies. 

We begin in the UK, where the week kicks off with a health check on the manufacturing sector through the S&P Global UK Manufacturing PMI for August. As we move further into September, the BRC Sales Like-For-Like YoY figures for August will offer a glimpse into consumer spending trends. 

Mid-week, the focus shifts to the financial arena, with the Official Reserves Changes for August providing an update on the UK’s foreign currency reserves. The service sector then takes centre stage, as the S&P Global UK Services PMI and the S&P Global UK Composite PMI, both for August, are released. The automotive industry also comes under scrutiny with the New Car Registrations YoY data for August. 

Rounding off the week, we’ll gain insights into the construction sector via the S&P Global UK Construction PMI for August. Inflation expectations will also be under the microscope, with the release of the DMP 3M Output Price Expectations and DMP 1 Year CPI Expectations, both for August. The week concludes with a comprehensive look at the labour market through the S&P Global, KPMG, and REC UK Report on Jobs. 

Meanwhile, in Europe, the week commences with a flurry of manufacturing PMI data from across the continent, encompassing Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, and the Eurozone as a whole. This will be complemented by insights into retail sales and GDP figures from various countries. 

As the week progresses, attention pivots towards consumer spending, unemployment rates, and further GDP releases. Updates on industrial production and trade balances will also be key points of interest. 

Towards the end of the week, we can anticipate insights into construction PMIs, factory orders, house price indices, and consumer confidence. The week will draw to a close with a look at retail sales, additional GDP figures, and a gauge of investor sentiment. 

Across the pond, the US economic calendar opens with a focus on the manufacturing sector. The S&P Global US Manufacturing PMI and the ISM Manufacturing reports, both for August, will offer a health check on this vital sector. Furthermore, the ISM Prices Paid and ISM New Orders data will shed light on inflationary pressures and demand trends within manufacturing. 

On Tuesday, the MBA Mortgage Applications data for the week ending August 30th will provide a window into the housing market. 

Mid-week, the spotlight turns to international trade with the release of the Trade Balance figures for July. Meanwhile, the JOLTS Job Openings data for July will be keenly observed for signs of labour market tightness. Factory Orders and Durable Goods Orders for July will provide further insights into business investment and demand for long-lasting goods. Additionally, the Federal Reserve will release its Beige Book, a qualitative assessment of economic conditions across the nation. 

As the week progresses, the labour market takes centre stage. The ADP Employment Change report for August will offer an early glimpse of private-sector job growth, setting the scene for the highly anticipated Nonfarm Payrolls report. Initial and Continuing Jobless Claims data will provide additional clues about the labour market’s health. Meanwhile, the S&P Global US Services PMI and the ISM Services Index, both for August, will gauge the performance of the service sector. 

The week culminates with the release of the Nonfarm Payrolls report for August, unveiling the pace of job creation and the Unemployment Rate. Average Hourly Earnings data will offer insights into wage growth, a crucial factor influencing inflation expectations. The Labour Force Participation Rate will also be under scrutiny, revealing the proportion of the population actively engaged in the labour market. 


Epic Investment Partner’s Key risks & Disclaimers:

EPIC Global Equity Fund (the “Fund”) is a sub-fund of EPIC Funds p.l.c. (the “Company”), which is an open-ended umbrella fund authorised in Ireland as a UCITS fund and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. This marketing material has been approved in the UK by EPIC Markets (UK) LLP, trading as EPIC Investment Partners, which is a limited liability partnership incorporated and registered in England and Wales under partnership OC306260 with its registered office at Audrey House, 16-20 Ely Place, London EC1N 6SN. EPIC Markets (UK) LLP is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Distribution of this material and the offer of the Fund are specifically restricted in certain jurisdictions. In particular, but without limitation, neither this material nor shares in the Fund are available to US persons.

This document is for general information purposes only and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It is not a personal recommendation and it should not be regarded as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any shares in the Fund. This document represents the views of EPIC Investment Partners at the time of writing. It should not be construed as investment advice. Any person interested in investing in the Fund should conduct their own investigation and analysis of the Fund and should consult their own professional tax, accounting or other advisers as to the risks involved in making such an investment. Full details of the Fund’s investment objectives, investment policy and risks are set out in the Fund’s Prospectus and Supplement which, together with the Key Information Document (“KID”), are available on request and free of charge from Maples Fund Services (Ireland) Limited, 32 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, Ireland and, in the UK, from EPIC Markets (UK) LLP, Audrey House, 16-20 Ely Place, London EC1N 6SN. Any offering of the Fund is only made on the terms of the current Prospectus, Supplement and KID. A subscription in the Fund can only be made after the provision of the KIID and should be made solely upon the information contained in the Prospectus, Supplement and KID.

An investment in the Fund is not suitable for an investor who cannot sustain a loss on their investment. There is no guarantee of the Fund’s future performance and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The value of your investment and the income derived from it can go down as well as up, and you may not get back the money you invested. The risks associated with making an investment in the Fund are described in the Prospectus and Supplement but investors should note, in particular, the following: 1) Foreign currency denominated investments are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates that could have a positive or an adverse effect on an investor’s returns. There is also a risk that currency hedging transactions for one share class may in extreme cases adversely affect the net asset value of the other share classes within the same sub-fund since there is no legal segregation between share classes; 2) The Fund is subject to the risk of the insolvency of its counterparties; and 3) Emerging market securities are subject to greater social, political, regulatory, and currency risks than developed market securities. This may impact the liquidity and value of such securities and, consequently, the value of the Fund.


MeDirect Disclaimers:

This information has been accurately reproduced, as received from EPIC Investment Partners. No information has been omitted which would render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading. This information is being distributed by MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to its customers. The information contained in this document is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or other professional advice nor does it commit MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc to any obligation whatsoever. The information available in this document is not intended to be a suggestion, recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell, any securities and is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness.

The financial instruments discussed in the document is intended for retail clients however, it may not be suitable for all investors and investors must make their own informed decisions and seek their own advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in financial instruments or implementing strategies discussed herein.

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