Japan’s companies are in dire need of a boost November 26, 2012 THE Bank of Japan (BoJ) has a real problem. Japan has an astronomical debt burden, ailing exports (hurt by a strong yen), and a population that cannot be persuaded to spend its way out of recession. October saw the fifth straight month of export declines, down 6.5 per cent on the year. Japan has been hit [...]
How traders could pilot festive market sentiment November 26, 2012 AS CHRISTMAS rolls around, many market pundits will once again seek to explain away the typical bull market sentiment as a seasonal anomaly – or indeed, to give it full moniker, a Father Christmas rally. But is this actually something you can hope to trade successfully? Or is this seasonal sentiment nothing more than a [...]
The Tipster | Thomas Cook struggles to fly November 26, 2012 DOUBTS remain over whether tomorrow’s full-year results from Thomas Cook Group will launch another take-off for the travel company. Even though its shares are up by over 30 per cent over the last year, many seem unconvinced whether the firm can fly any higher. Chief executive Harriet Green is set to unveil a new strategy, [...]
No reason to fear UK downgrade November 26, 2012 THE downgrade of the UK’s credit rating by at least one of the three major agencies looks increasingly likely in the New Year. But losing the triple-A crown may not be such a big deal after all. The most important fallout from a downgrade will probably be political. George Osborne has hung his hat on [...]
Analyst picks for 27 November 2012 November 26, 2012 CURRENCY STRATEGIST CHRIS VECCHIO My pick: Long dollar-yen and gold Expertise: Fundamental and technical analysis Average time frame of trades: A few hours to a few days I closed my long Aussie-dollar position from $1.0318 at $1.0390, for a profit of +72-pips. I also closed my euro-dollar long position from $1.2720 at $1.2790 for a [...]
GDP revision to reveal whether UK consumers are still penny pinching November 25, 2012 MARKET watchers will be keenly anticipating the second estimate of the UK’s third quarter GDP growth from the Bank of England tomorrow. While economists cheered the first estimate of one per cent, they are hoping any revision will only be a small one, and not a sign of further dips in consumer spending. Howard Archer, [...]
US debate over tax may cause market swings November 25, 2012 WITH the S&P 500 above 1,400 after five days of gains, traders will be hard pressed not to cash in on the advance at the first sign of trouble during negotiations over tax hikes and spending cuts that resume next week in Washington. President Barack Obama and US congressional leaders are expected to discuss ways [...]
Online shopping for an enterprising capitalist November 25, 2012 NOT many early-stage companies justify an equity research note. And few get described as “one of the most exciting growth stories in the market”. But the recently-listed Blur Group – led by Philip Letts – is deservedly attracting the right kind of attention. Only three technology firms have joined London’s Aim market this year. Blur’s [...]
Lay all your bets on a winner: Why optimism beats calculation November 25, 2012 I WAS so tired at breakfast that, when the waitress asked if I wanted coffee, I just tapped the table a few times. When she asked about sugar, I flattened my hand, palm downwards, and slowly waved it left and right. As a casino worker, she knew the blackjack signals for yes and no. And [...]
Who qualifies for investment relief November 25, 2012 THE Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) was launched without much fanfare in April this year. Designed to help early-stage companies raise equity finance, it offers tax relief to investors, with the aim of offsetting the reticence some feel about staking their money on a high-risk venture. Not all small companies qualify, however. Firms must have [...]