FTSE lifted by strong results August 1, 2012 BRITAIN’S benchmark share index rose yesterday following strong numbers from retailer Next and other blue-chip companies, although many investors held off trading ahead of key US and European central bank policy meetings. The blue-chip FTSE 100 ended up 77.54 points, or 1.4 per cent higher, at 5,712.82 points – its highest closing level in nearly [...]
US stocks take a breath ahead of Fed meeting July 31, 2012 US stocks fell yesterday with traders’ sights set again on today’s Federal Reserve statement on the economy and a possible new round of stimulus. The Nasdaq, which underperformed on Monday, was the smallest decliner among the three major US stock indexes in yesterday’s session, thanks in part to Apple shares’ gain of 2.6 per cent [...]
Disheartening words from Europe send FTSE 100 deeper into the red July 31, 2012 BRITAIN’S FTSE 100 fell yesterday, extending earlier losses, weighed by worries the European Central Bank may not deliver enough stimulus this week to tackle a global economic slowdown, as comments by German policymakers further dented expectations. At the close, the FTSE 100 was down 45.97 points, or 0.8 per cent, at 5,647.66, also weighed by [...]
FTSE underpinned by hope for ECB stimulus July 30, 2012 STRENGTH in risk-sensitive energy, miners and banking stocks propelled Britain’s top share index back up to touch the 5,700 level yesterday, fuelled by hopes central banks could launch fresh measures this week to stem the global economic slowdown. Recent comments from European policymakers vowing to take all steps to tackle the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, [...]
US stocks finish flat as investors await data July 30, 2012 US stocks finished mostly flat yesterday as investors paused following the best two-day run this year, with central bank meetings and a full load of US economic data looming. Traders have bet that the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank will suggest further action to stimulate their economies is on the way when each [...]
Prices are the only thing growing as crops feel the heat July 30, 2012 WHILE the UK has spent most of 2012 soaked to the bone, wondering when summer was going to gift us some rays of sunshine, on the other side of the Atlantic – specifically the key growing region in the US Midwest corn belt – they have been experiencing quite the opposite. Wiltingly hot temperatures in [...]
TAKE YOUR EMOTION OUT OF TRADING BY MANAGING RISK July 30, 2012 FX360 LAST week, I began a series of three articles aimed at anyone who is considering trading for themselves. My own background is in spread betting and contracts for difference (CFDs) and, over the years, I’ve managed to pick up a few do’s and don’ts. But before launching in, it’s important to emphasise a particular [...]
THE TIPSTER | Thomas Cook hoping to book profits July 30, 2012 EMBATTLED shareholders in Thomas Cook will be hoping that the poor weather and the prospect of the London Olympics will have driven more people to book holidays in sunnier climes. The Arab Spring might have moved on from Tunisia and Egypt, but the firm might still see some weak trading, as people stay away from [...]
Analyst picks for 30 July 2012 July 30, 2012 CURRENCY STRATEGIST CHRIS VECCHIO My pick: Short Australian dollar-dollar Expertise: Fundamental and technical analysis Average time frame of trades: 1 day to 1 week Our previous Aussie dollar-dollar short from $1.0425 hit its initial profit target at $1.0270. The pair hit trendline support at $1.0190, in turn giving way to the rally up to $1.0500. [...]
LONDON WEEK AHEAD July 29, 2012 RESULTS season continues with a slew of banks, energy and leisure firms due to update this week, while the Bank of England’s monthly decision on interest rates is due on Thursday. Today’s biggest news comes in the form of interims from under-fire banking giant HSBC and household goods behemoth Reckitt Benckiser. The Bank is set [...]