UKIP success may spark market volatility, advisory firm warns
The rise of UKIP in British politics may spark short-term volatility in financial markets, a global financial advisory firm has cautioned.
The anti-EU party have won their second by-election in quick succession today in Rochester and Strood in Kent, overturning a 9,000 Conservative majority and beating the Tories into second place.
Conservative defector Mark Reckless becomes UKIP's second MP at Westminster after getting 42% of the vote.
While the party has been making waves in the politic sphere, Nigel Green, founder and chief executive of deVere Group, believes it may also cause a stir in the markets.
Mr Green said: "UKIP gains are changing the political landscape in Britain and these shifts have wider effects than shaking-up British politics; they are likely to spark short-term volatility in financial markets.
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"The predicted market volatility until the next election and beyond will be driven by unsettled investors who are expressing uncertainty about the increasing chances of Brexit [a British exit from the EU], which could trigger massive disruption.
"It can be expected that the election campaign will bolster the chances of Brexit due to the possible defection of more MPs to UKIP and the wider growing Eurosceptic sentiment in the UK – which David Cameron appears to be trying to fight by considering policies that could force the UK out of the EU and by the promise of an in/out referendum by the end of 2017.
"In addition, UKIP's victories are significant as they are dividing the vote of the main political parties, boosting the possibility of a hung parliament and a weaker government.
"Investors would be wise to monitor these potential portfolio risks carefully with their financial adviser."
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