ICR188: The Importance of Investor Sentiment

Today on the podcast, I'm talking about investor sentiment; what is it and why is it so important?

With the FTSE 100 index closing at a new record high and rising investment sentiment, we look at the definition of investor sentiment, some useful measures and how it can be applied to your investment decisions.

There's also an interview with Martin Dropkin, Director of Research for Fixed Income at Fidelity International, about the latest Fidelity International Analyst Survey.

Personal finance news update

-The FTSE 100 index of leading company shares has closed as a new record high.

-The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold at 0.25%, although one policymaker voted for a rise.

-Plans announced in the Budget last week to increase National Insurance contributions for the self-employed have been abandoned.

-The basket of goods and services used to calculate price inflation has been updated.

-The number of jobs available in London fell by 17% in February, according to data from Morgan McKinley’s latest London Employment Monitor.

Get answers to your personal finance questions

Do you have a personal finance or investing question for Martin?

Email martin@icfp.co.uk or ask on Twitter @martinbamford.

You can call our dedicated podcast voicemail line on 020 8144 2745 with your question or visit www.icradio.co.uk/voicemail to leave an online voice message.