Before the open: markets remain lackluster as Fed indecision continues September 25, 2013 With the Fed's message on tapering somewhat muddled, US markets remain dulled for a fourth day, following last week's highs. This, along with the impending debt ceiling debate and potential for government shutdown over Obamacare, is also slowing down European markets, which are expected to open lower this morning. Just over half an hour to [...]
Miliband’s lurch to left is a recipe for disaster September 25, 2013 WE NOW know what Labour’s strategy to win the next election will be: shift to the left, bash business, stoke envy and jealousy, attack the City and come up with a raft of populist policies. It might even work. New Labour is well and truly over, an experiment now deemed an obsolete, almost shameful failure [...]
The simple strategy to profit from US dog stocks September 24, 2013 But those buying the 10 worst-performing stocks in the S&P 500 in September should remember that it’s wise to bank gains early THIS is possibly one of the simplest investment strategies ever devised. It is also one of the most profitable. All you need to do is the following: at the end of September each [...]
How the Fed data leak illustrates the problem of central bank power September 24, 2013 One chart has the US' Federal Reserve worried that it has a secrecy problem. Research from Nanex shows that trades were made on data at exactly the same time in both Chicago and New York at the time of the Fed's "no taper" decision last Wednesday. That should be impossible, even with the latest technology [...]
Warnings that Labour proposals could result in fuel shortages and capital flight September 24, 2013 Business groups have slammed Labour leader Ed Miliband's speech as laying out an irresponsible approach to British business. CBI director-general John Cridland has said that the proposals are a "setback for Labour's pro-enterprise credentials". Cridland says that suggestions that business rates should be frozen with revenues from higher corporation tax rates are "divisive" and that [...]
Market says Labour won’t win in 2015: Energy shares barely move on price fix announcement September 24, 2013 Markets have been moved by Ed Miliband's pledge to ban energy price increases for 20 months if is elected. But the changes are minute. If a Prime Minister were to make this claim in office we'd expect a much harsher drop. So either Miliband's promise isn't seen as credible or his chances aren't that strong.
Slight miss as US economic confidence falls September 24, 2013 US confidence in economic activity for September has fallen to 79.7 from August's figure of 81.8, missing expectations of 79.8 per cent. BREAKING: US Consumer Confidence slows as Bernanke confuses the country — Keith McCullough (@KeithMcCullough) September 24, 2013 And if you don't think confidence matters you have not looked for a job lately. [...]
Ed Miliband to ban energy price rises for two years September 24, 2013 Ed Miliband today said he would make it illegal for energy companies to increase the price they charge for gas or electricity during the first 20 months of a Labour government. All UK homes and businesses would benefit from the move, which Labour believes would cost major energy companies £4.5bn. Miliband will also commit to [...]
Global bellwether Holcim is optimistic about cement demand September 24, 2013 Swiss cement giant Holcim is optimistic about the outlook for its biggest customer India, according to an interview with Reuters. Chief Executive Bernard Fontana told Reuters "There are some positive signs coming from India". Despite slower economic growth of 5.3 per cent this year Fontana told Reuters Even with 5 percent GDP growth, you can [...]
Rise for US house prices September 24, 2013 US house prices rose in the month of July, with the house price index coming in at 1.0 per cent from 0.7 per cent in June. Expectations were for 0.9 per cent. July is the 18th consecutive month in which the index has risen. The Case-Shiller index, which measures residential real estate house prices in [...]