RBS urges investors to 'sell everything' amid fear of global crisis

Warning oil price could fall to $10 a barrel

clock • 1 min read

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has urged investors to "sell everything" as it warned stock markets could fall 20% this year.

The bank issued an alert to investors saying "danger is lurking out there for every investor' and 'the downside is crystallising. Watch out. Sell (mostly) everything."

It added: "In a crowded hall, exit doors are small. Risks are high. This looks very much like 2008."

RBS suggested taking refuge in US and German government bonds, according to an article in This is Money.

Meanwhile oil prices fell to $30 a barrel for the first time since 2004 - but Standard Chartered said it could fall to as low as $10, not seen since 1998, the paper reported.

The warnings come after a roller-coaster start to the New Year for investors, which saw billions of pounds wiped off stocks in the UK and elsewhere stirred by turmoil in China.

The FTSE was volatile all week following its re-opening for 2016, while other global indices including the Dax and the Dow Jones also struggled.

The FTSE 100 finished up 1% at 5929.24 at the close on Tuesday, meaning it barely regained the ground lost during the day.

The index saw £85bn wiped off its value after tumbling 5.2% last week, during what was dubbed the worst start to a New Year on world markets. 

 

 

More on Economics / Markets

Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% as inflation remains 'sticky'

Bank of England holds interest rates at 4% as inflation remains 'sticky'

Seven MPC members voted to leave interest rates untouched

Linus Uhlig
clock 18 September 2025 • 2 min read
UK inflation rises to 3.8% in July

UK inflation rises to 3.8% in July

Core CPI also up to 3.8%

Sorin Dojan
clock 20 August 2025 • 2 min read
Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Lowest level in two and a half years

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 August 2025 • 4 min read

In-depth

'There are sharks out there': V11 footballer plight highlights professional athlete financial vulnerability

'There are sharks out there': V11 footballer plight highlights professional athlete financial vulnerability

‘Sadly, in every industry there is good and bad'

Jenna Brown
clock 03 September 2025 • 8 min read
Targeted support: 'Watch this space!' – unknowns persist

Targeted support: 'Watch this space!' – unknowns persist

Industry awaits final details of the FCA’s proposals

Isabel Baxter
clock 19 August 2025 • 7 min read
Polling high – should advisers bank on Reform UK holding on?

Polling high – should advisers bank on Reform UK holding on?

Nigel Farage-led party's policies would likely mean big tax changes if Reform came into power

Isabel Baxter
clock 30 July 2025 • 7 min read