Banking on surprising the markets July 31, 2011 THIS week sees the release of interim figures from a number of UK banks, and few are holding out hope for particularly strong results. A generally weak UK economy that grew an anaemic 0.2 per cent in the second quarter, coupled with concerns about the risk of UK bank exposure to possible European default, have [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD in association with GFT July 31, 2011 COMPANY NEWS ● It’s a busy week for results. Today, Hiscox, HSBC, Intertek and Ultra Electronics Holdings announce. ● Barclays, Capital Shopping Centres, Cookson, Drax, Fresnillo, GKN, Meggitt, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Rotork, Weir and Xstrata all announce tomorrow. ● Announcing on Wednesday are Capital & Counties Properties, Ferrexpo, Legal & General, Rexam, Rightmove, Standard [...]
THE TIPSTER July 31, 2011 TRADERS are long on silver as the precious metal looks like it might be setting up to test its highs from earlier in the year of around $50. The precious metal has seen its fair share of volatility in the last week – dipping back below the $40 mark – so could be a buy. [...]
Meet the men looking to corner the World market July 31, 2011 JOE Murray and Richard Tucker can sell anything. Cots, birdcages, log splitters, mattresses – you name it – these guys will have a dedicated website for it and they will be selling them by the shed load (speaking of which, they also sell sheds). With 79 of these websites and 350,000 items sold in just [...]
GROWTH PLAN NEEDS YOUNG CREATIVE TALENT July 31, 2011 ENTREPRENEURS by definition have never been fond of following a plan. But today, our economy needs a plan for growth, and a good place to start is the UK’s creative startup sector. The creative industries contribute £59.2bn to the UK economy and provide 2.3m jobs. They have a higher share of GDP in the UK [...]
Banking bounce and positive data help FTSE to edge higher July 28, 2011 STRONGER banks helped the FTSE 100 share index edge higher yesterday as investors welcomed upbeat data releases from across the Atlantic, though the overriding mood was one of caution, with only a few days left for the US government and its opponents to reach a deal on its debt and avoid a default. The FTSE [...]
Wall Street flags as debt talks stall July 28, 2011 US stocks faded in the afternoon yesterday to end mostly lower, with investors skeptical a key vote by Congress would lead to a deal to avoid a US default. The S&P 500 fell for a fourth straight day as buyers kept to the sidelines while lawmakers tried to hash out an agreement on the deficit. [...]
FTSE dips on US deficit talks July 27, 2011 FINANCIALS led Britain’s topshare index lower yesterday, on concerns that deeply-divided US lawmakers would fail to agree to a deal to avoid a default on the country’s debts. The UK benchmark index closed 73.15 points, or 1.2 per cent lower at 5,856.58, albeit in thin volumes. The continued standoff by US politicians has prompted fund [...]
Worst day in eight weeks for Wall St July 27, 2011 WALL Street suffered its worst day in eight weeks yesterday, hit by weak earnings, lacklustre economic data and no movement in Washington talks as the deadline for a US default looms. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 198.75 points, or 1.59 per cent, at 12,302.55. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was down 27.05 [...]
Taking a gamble on your child’s character July 27, 2011 FOR those looking to save for their children, the slow drip-feed of information on the new Junior Isa (Jisa) has been frustrating. With yesterday’s update, we are a step closer to getting the final details – although questions remain, particularly in how child trust funds (CTF) will fit in with the new regime. But one [...]