Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche announced that it was halting research and manufacturing at its UK base in Welwyn Garden City, resulting in the loss of 700 jobs. British Telecom indicated that it might endeavour to provide television programmes through its telephone cable network. The British pound weakened against the US dollar, dragged lower by renewed declines in the euro. Fidelity Perspectives - Monday 4 June 2001 UK equities have not escaped the unsettled conditions seen elsewhere and are currently some way off their market highs. While growth is slowing somewhat, the situation is not too problematic.
Inflation remains below the central bank's target.
May. These reductions in rates could prove to be positive for the stock market and corporate bonds. The outlook for smaller and medium-sized companies remains positive and the overall environment for stock picking has improved. At Fidelity we believe that equity investing should be a long term commitment. The index used is the FTSE-Actuaries All Share Index, which measures the performance of the largest quoted companies in the UK, a basket of approximately 800 companies. 5 Year Performance Issued in the UK by Fidelity Investments Limited, Fidelity Investment Services Limited and Fidelity Investments International, regulated by IMRO and the Personal Investment Authority.