FTSE 100 Live: Stocks to fall as Hormuz strikes revive security threat; Asian markets hit by tech sell-off after Apple price hike
I recreated all my favourite TV tropes, from crawling through pipes to being two kids in a trenchcoat
What you need to know before the US open May 19, 2014 US stocks are expected to open lower today, following the distinctly choppy trading seen last week. Trading in government bonds continues to be solid, with nothing in the way of economic data to provide a guiding light for equity and fixed-income markets. The Fed’s April meeting minutes are due Wednesday, with some numbers from US [...]
Black market cigarettes on the rise after 150pc tax increase since 2010 May 19, 2014 The consumption of non UK duty paid tobacco (NUKDP) is showing its first increase in recent years as cigarettes have faced a 150 per cent tax rise since the start of 2010. The amount NUKPD of roll your own (RYO) tobacco has risen to a staggering 48 per cent, while the figure for stick cigarettes [...]
Six things you need to know about the new banking standards council May 19, 2014 Sir Richard Lambert’s report on banking standards will, he hopes, trigger a big shift in the way banks hold their own behaviour to account as they try to restore their reputations. His recommendations today have changed slightly since his last update in February, but he has stuck to his call for an independent body, [...]
What is Twitch and why is it worth $1bn? May 19, 2014 Google is reportedly swooping for three-year-old video game streaming service Twitch with an offer of more than a billion dollars. While watching other people play video games might not sound like a big business opportunity, it's an industry that has grown rapidly in recent years with Twitch playing a key role in boosting its popularity. [...]
Why the US labour market is starting to tear away from its Canadian peer May 19, 2014 Things are taking off in US employment growth. A Bank of America Merrill Lynch report published today highlights a widening gap between the labour market of the US and neighbouring Canada. Analysts note that the most recent monthly non-farm payroll data from each country looks strikingly different. Canada saw payrolls fall by 28,900 in a [...]
Fatty food is the new tobacco says international report May 19, 2014 The global food industry could be facing a regulatory regime similar to that of the tobacco industry, if world leaders follow the recommendations of a report released by the World Obesity Federation and Consumers International. The two international bodies recommend that the world's governments undertake a binding commitment to place stricter controls on food marketing [...]
Bankside Power Station (AKA Tate Modern) suffers power failure May 19, 2014 Oh the irony. The Tate Modern, based in the former oil powered station on the banks of the Thames, suffered a power failure this morning causing it to shut. The gallery, one of London's most visited attractions, had to turn art fans away while they tried to return power to the huge building. [...]
Guns and butter: UK’s weapons and ammunition turnover drops by 30pc May 19, 2014 The trade-off in British manufacturing is clear. Less guns, more everything else. Turnover of UK weapons and ammunition production has dropped by 29.6 per cent in the three months to March on the same period last year, according to the Office for National Statistics. That's the biggest such fall in turnover seen across any of [...]
Why a successful Pfizer bid for AstraZeneca isn’t completely off the table May 19, 2014 The rejection of a £55-a-share offer by Pfizer for AstraZeneca has led a few market watchers to suggest that any chance of a deal has now evaporated. But while AstraZeneca shares have fallen, by around 14 per cent, stock in the pharmaceutical company hasn't settled back to where it was before Pfizer's initial approach. It [...]
Deutsche Bank shares drop on €8bn capital hike May 19, 2014 Deutsche Bank shares fell over 2.6 per cent this morning, after yesterday’s announcement that it plans to raise €8bn (£6.5bn) in new capital. The bank will raise €6.3bn in new equity via a rights issue, with the remaining €1.75bn stake taken by the Qatari royal family through its Paramount fund. Deutsche Bank also put forward [...]