Liv-ex 100 up for a third month

The Liv-ex 100 index saw positive growth for a third consecutive month in October, while the Liv-ex 50 ran flat.

Overall, October saw the highest number of transactions since Liv-ex began, though prices are still a long way off their high.

“The record number of units and transactions in October tells you the activity is there,” said Liv-ex director Anthony Maxwell. “But the prices aren’t by any means back at the levels they were in their hay day of 2010 / 2011.” He described the fact that 150 of the exchange’s 440 members worldwide are now trading each week as “very healthy”.

Admittedly the Fine Wine 100 only saw a 0.4% upward swing but it is what it represents for the fine wine market that is reassuring.

Coming off 17 straight months of decline, the growing stability over the summer has given rise to incremental growth from August to now.

Risers and fallers were extremely varied with Cheval Blanc 2010 being one of the strongest performers in October, its case price rising over 7% to £6,905.

Cristal 2002 rose the most (15%), while a clutch of 2009s from Burgundy (La Tache) and Bordeaux (Lafite and Angelus) followed.

Margaux’s 2003 plumbed the depths with a 7% dip to £3,350 a case and Spain’s Vega Sicilia Unico made a rare appearance, dropping 6.9% to £1,606 p/cs.

Previously high-flying Super Tuscan Sassicaia’s 2004 was also a victim of the slump, as were 2010 Pichon Baron and 2006 Lafite.