Cover story
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Bailout or bust?
Investors will have to be more
selective as many important sectors
of the UK economy are already
taking a battering from lockdowns
and social distancing measures.
Numerous retailers and consumer
discretionary businesses will be
in “sink or swim” territory as they
attempt to adapt to changing
customer needs.
The slow death of the high street
began long ago, but coronavirus
has hastened its demise. Retailer
Next, considered one of the betterquality
companies in the space, has
Investors will have to be
more selective as many
important sectors of the UK
economy are already taking
a battering from lockdowns
and social distancing
measures
cancelled its dividend and share
buyback programme as it reported a
40 per cent slump in sales. This is a
trend likely to be echoed across the
marketplace. There will be trying
PERFORMANCE OF INDEX IN 2020
Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Sub (-67.19%)
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
-30%
-40%
-50%
-60%
-70%
-80%
Jan20
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Source: FE Analytics
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