Asian markets have kicked off 2014 cautiously. Here’s why January 2, 2014 It's been something of a disappointing start to 2014 over in Asia, as markets suffer on China's unimpressive manufacturing data and currency troubles. The yen traded today, but Tokyo's equity market is closed until Monday. Asia starts the year cautiously – ASX +0.44%, Shanghai -0.44%, Hang Seng -0.25%, Nikkei +0.69% – Gold $1222.10 – [...]
Is 2014 the year of the apprenticeship? December 30, 2013 Today, Confederation of British Industry (CBI) chief John Cridland called for apprenticeships to be given the same status as degrees. He said: We need to widen the gateways into higher-skilled work for far more people, including those already working, or those for whom a degree may not be the best option. We need a UCAS-equivalent vocational [...]
Here are SocGen’s Kit Juckes’ thoughts on US growth in 2014 December 30, 2013 Societe Generale's Kit Juckes thinks 2013 has been "a bad year for bonds, a worse year for the yen and a truly awful one for gold." When it comes to predictions for next year, Juckes thinks it unlikely that the US recovery (which, he stresses, is sub-par) will be de-railed until policy changes. Consensus is [...]
Why it’s not such bad news that gold was a terrible investment this year December 30, 2013 12 straight years of growth came to an end for gold this year. Today, the yellow metal fell one per cent in trading, and it's heading for its biggest annual loss in 32 years – a drop of almost 30 per cent. A growing appetite for risk, and the prospect of a global recovery and [...]
Next CEO says dictatorial Europe is no good to businesses December 30, 2013 The UK's relationship with Europe will be watched closely by businesses next year, and one top businessman has stressed just how important changes to the EU are. Lord Simon Wolfson (pictured), the chief executive (CEO) of UK fashion store Next, says that everyone in the business community, no matter which side of the debate they're [...]
A choppy morning for Monte dei Paschi shares December 30, 2013 It’s been a volatile morning for Monte dei Paschi shares, after the Italian bank saw a delay in crucial fundraising after a clash between its top executives and main investors. At pixel time, shares were up just under one per cent at €0.18. On Saturday, the Monte dei Paschi Foundation put paid to management plans [...]
Why China’s worried about a sliding yen December 30, 2013 The yen's rapid fall over 2013 has been bothering China and South Korea for some time. But the anxiety has been underlined today as senior officials announced their exporters could be put at a disadvantage in global markets by Japan's intensive monetary and fiscal stimulus. World Trade Organization data showed China to be the world's [...]
Government may sell off rest of Lloyds stake next year December 30, 2013 2014 could see the government complete the privatisation of Lloyds Banking Group, selling its remaining 33 per cent stake in the lender, the Telegraph has reported, citing unnamed sources. The newspaper said that the entire government holding, worth £18.4bn, could be sold off within the next 12 months, through both institutional sales and an offering [...]
What you need to know before the open – 30/12 December 30, 2013 A more subdued day of trading is expected today, in the second-to-last session of 2013. Sedentary start to today's penultimate session for the year in Europe! – FTSE +4, DAX -10, CAC unchanged — David Buik (@truemagic68) December 30, 2013 European bourses have been seeing strong gains over the last two weeks, with [...]
US stocks advance for seventh day December 27, 2013 Could US stocks close at record highs every day for a week? Major American indexes are all higher, with the Dow Jones up 0.21 per cent, S&P 0.09 up per cent, and Nasdaq 0.06 per cent higher. The Dow Jones has now seen six record highs in six days, with the S&P on a four [...]