Coronavirus continues to cast a dark shadow over the global economy, as the number of new cases outside China continues to accelerate.

Consumer spending continues to rise

What is goodwill? In the accounting sense, it’s an intangible asset that arises as a result of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Essentially, goodwill is the difference between the price paid for a company and its book value. It is recorded on the buyer’s balance sheet, and its value must be tested each year and adjusted accordingly. Any change results in a write-down of this value, which is recorded as an impairment – effectively, a loss.

Many investors associate Asia ex-Japan with high-growth, higher-risk investing, which can mean some good-quality, growth-compounding companies are overlooked.

Fed Chairman Powell cites weakening global growth, trade policy developments and below-target inflation as impetus for rate cut.

Although investors – and the Fed – may be worried about slower growth, there are still clear areas of strength in the US economy. Cormac Weldon explains how the Artemis US Smaller Companies Fund exploits them.

The yield-curve boy is crying wolf, raising recession fears. But the villagers at central banks have responded to dangers already.

The earnings season will deliver an enormous amount of newsflow. This one is shaping up to be unusually interesting. Here is a quick guide on what to expect and what to look out for from the macro perspective.