What you need to know before the US open April 9, 2014 US markets are expected flat today, as investors await minutes from the Federal Reserve. The notes from its last meeting will be released later, with investors hoping they’ll provide further indication of how quickly the bank will raise interest rates. Earlier, data showed mortgage applications fell for the third week in a row last week. [...]
Greece may start issuing bonds again, but its economy is still shattered April 9, 2014 The Greek government looks set to return to bond markets this week, after a four-year absence – its last issue for seven-year bonds was in the first quarter of 2010, a couple of months ahead of the bailout that locked it out of markets. But earlier this year, finance minister Yannis Stournaras laid out a [...]
Why one analyst loves construction firm Carillion April 9, 2014 Construction services firm Carillion’s share price has soared over five per cent today, after an upgrade from Cantor Fitzgerald. The research note put a “buy” recommendation on the FTSE 250 firm and increased its target price to 420p from 350p, in part due to a strengthened order book and downsizing of the struggling UK construction [...]
UK exports fall to November 2010 low April 9, 2014 After what the UK's statisticians call "erratic commodities" impacts, they've thrown caution on the latest release of monthly trade data. Exports fell by 1.6 per cent in the month of February, while imports dropped by 2.2 per cent, says the Office for National Statistics. But they recommend "users also focus on three month on three [...]
Complaints against financial services companies drop by 15 per cent April 9, 2014 The Financial Conduct Authority has announced that 2,479,029 complaints were opened against financial service firms between July and December 2013. That's down 15 per cent from the 2,911,154 complaints reported in the previous six month period. PPI claims saw the greatest number of claims, with 1,390,756 opened during the period. That number is down 22 [...]
Rolls Royce lands $100m defence contract April 9, 2014 Aerospace and defence giant Rolls Royce has been awarded a $100m contract by the US Department of Defence. The company will provide support for the F405 (Adour) engines that power the US Navy's T-45 training aircraft. Rolls Royce will be responsible for providing depot level maintenance and logistics support for over 200 Adour engines. The [...]
What you need to know before the open April 9, 2014 Something of a mixed open expected for European markets today, with the Fed’s open market committee minutes out later on. They could shed some more light on the decision to lose the 6.5 per cent guidance threshold on unemployment. The US saw a positive session yesterday, but there's still worry over how things will pan [...]
Toyota announces recall of 6.4m vehicles April 9, 2014 The world’s largest carmaker, Toyota, is recalling 6.4m vehicles worldwide, owing to five separate issues, it said today. The Japanese firm said the recalls involve 27 Toyota models, with 3.5m vehicles being recalled to replace a cable attached to the driver’s side airbag. It says: The driver’s airbag module in the involved vehicles is attached [...]
Culture secretary Maria Miller resigns April 9, 2014 The culture secretary Maria Miller has resigned amid growing pressure over her expenses claims. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Miller said the ongoing dispute had "become a distraction from the vital work this government is doing." The Prime Minister responded to the letter saying he was "sorry" to have received it, but nevertheless [...]
Any Other Business – 09/04 April 9, 2014 SO, DIAMOND Bob has snaffled one of his old colleagues from Barclays, John Vitalo, to head up his new African bank buying venture, Atlas Mara. What does it all mean? Well, it could mean we’ll see the eternally cleanly-shaved Diamond sporting a tash come November. As you can see from Vitalo’s Movember mug shot (pictured), the [...]