DislikedThe FTSE100 is more of a geared play on the prospects for the global economy, rather than a punt on the UK's economic growth outlook, or lack thereof. Therefore, the FTSE100 will likely continue to follow the S&P 500.
One would need to invest in the broader FTSE 250 or 350 in order to take a punt more closely linked to the domestic economy.
This global theme is demonstrated by the weightings of the top 10 constituent companies in the FTSE100, which account for 52% of the total weighting. All of these companies, without exception, are huge multi-nationals...Ignored
I need to keep a sizeable GBP investment so I can retire in the UK if I need a new ticker or liver and my US health insurance wont pay up. (they are skunks)
My plan is to bring cash GBP to the US and into USD - small amounts at the mo , then invest em in UK stocks either via ADR's or ETF, I will make gains and divs over 5 years. But BP/voddy are 40% of the index, and are just to unexciting. If I plan to repatriate the funds to the UK eventually, the exchange rate is a wash and it doesn't matter what rate I bring the funds to the US at because the ex rate gain on the shares is washed by the change back to gbp. As non UK resident I can't buy UK shares directly
The beer money I changed to USD 15 months ago is worth £150k more than I paid for it !!!!! (hence the liver comment), So forex is v important to me and not just for trading