The most vulnerable sectors in the election run-up

Architas CIO Caspar Rock takes a closer look at the health of the UK economy and the risks posed by the uncertainty of the UK general election result.

The news on the UK economy is reasonably positive, with individuals' earnings rising faster than prices, and a weak oil price giving an unexpected fillip to individuals and the broader macro economy.  The likelihood of interest rates rising from their record lows has receded, with lower domestic inflation and our biggest trading partners on the continent still suffering from a sluggish economy and the threat of disinflation. The UK stock market, especially the FTSE 100, is widely recognised for its defensive characteristics. It also has a substantial weighting towards energy and commo...