Miners and banks push FTSE to highest end since October January 18, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index nosed ahead yesterday to close above 5,700 points for the first time since the end of October 2011, as strength in heavyweight miners and banks countered falls in integrated oils. The FTSE 100 ended the day up 8.42 points, or 0.2 per cent, at 5,702.37, just below the intra-day peak of [...]
US stocks jump on word of IMF plans January 18, 2012 US stocks jumped to their highest since July yesterday as the International Monetary Fund sought to help countries hit by the European debt crisis, while forecast-beating earnings from Goldman Sachs dispelled some worries over bank profits. The stronger-than-expected earnings from Goldman Sachs followed disappointing results from Citigroup on Tuesday and JPMorgan Chase last week. Goldman [...]
Avoid exchange-rate pain in Spain January 18, 2012 DIRECTOR OF FX ADVISORY SERVICES, HIFX I F YOU had invested £100,000 in euros this time last year, it would have bought you €120,000 – almost exactly the same amount of euros as today. Less than four months later you would have only received €111,000. Yes, there are major problems within Europe, but the outlook [...]
Volatile times ahead for the Eurozone mean that FX hedging will be critical January 18, 2012 GIVEN the deteriorating situation in the Eurozone – both political and economic – the outlook for euro-sterling has improved quite a lot in recent months for anyone looking to buys euros. As recently as October the pound dropped to €1.13. It currently trades around €1.20 – a gain of 6 per cent. We now feel [...]
The latest evidence shows many MBA students earn back tuition costs quickly January 18, 2012 BEFORE investing the significant money and time needed to undertake an MBA, potential students should be keen to know the chances of getting a decent return on their investment. Of course, future remuneration isn’t the only motivation for undertaking further study, but if you knew that it would likely cost you more than you got [...]
Miners rise on China stats despite lingering euro fear January 17, 2012 BRITAIN’S top shares rose yesterday, aided by mining stocks after data from top metals consumer China eased worries over the demand picture, although fears of a Greek default kept a lid on the gains. The UK benchmark closed up 36.51 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 5,693.95, having earlier baulked just above the near-term 5,720 [...]
Wall Street’s rally leaves Citi behind January 17, 2012 US stocks advanced yesterday, pushing the S&P 500 to its highest since early August, but sharply pared gains late in the session as Citigroup’s steep drop in profit gave investors a reason to unload bank shares. The financial sector, which has outperformed the broader market so far this year, took a hit on investors’ disappointment [...]
Thomas Cook: The company taking visitors to the Olympics since 1896 January 17, 2012 COUNTDOWN TO THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES Q. WHAT WAS YOUR BRAND’S PRIMARY REASON FOR BEING INVOLVED WITH THE GAMES? A. Thomas Cook actually took customers from Britain to the first modern Olympics in Athens in 1896, and passengers from all over the UK to the 1908 and 1948 London Olympics, so we’ve got a [...]
Bringing the renminbi to the City of London January 17, 2012 FOLLOWING a two day visit to China, George Osborne yesterday announced that Britain had agreed to partner with Hong Kong to develop the City of London as an offshore trading centre for the renminbi. Hong Kong is currently the only official offshore renminbi venue, but Osborne hopes to turn London into a second offshore venue [...]
EU WOES WILL WEIGH ON THE EURO-DOLLAR January 17, 2012 UK BRANCH MANAGER, EASY-FOREX STERLING is trading near a 16-month high versus the euro and a new low for the year versus the dollar. Sterling strength versus the euro reflects demand for an alternative to the euro because of the EU debt crisis and the pound also benefits from expectations that the UK will maintain [...]