EQUITIES ARE STRUGGLING AS QE2 ENDS May 16, 2011 MOST global equity markets are struggling to make headway following the sharp sell-off at the beginning of the month. Investors are shying away from stocks on concerns that valuations are looking stretched, and as a number of tailwinds which had previously offered support are now fading. In the US, the first quarter earnings season is [...]
UK retailers are serving up higher high street prices May 16, 2011 ACCORDING to a report issued by economic forecasting group Ernst and Young ITEM Club yesterday, UK retailers are in for a difficult time in the years ahead. The report points to rising inflation and energy bills – without corresponding wage increases – leaving households with less disposable income. “World prices for food, fuel and fibres [...]
Mobile trading technology is on the move May 16, 2011 WITH the vast majority of trading now taking place online, the computer revolution had replaced the phone as the primary medium for trading. But the current transformation is towards trading on the move, as traders demand 24/7 access through internet-enabled mobile devices – including their phones. It is an exciting time for consumers, with stiff [...]
THE TIPSTER May 16, 2011 THE Nikkei was sold off a little on Monday following some disappointing consumer confidence data. The country is still struggling back to normality following the terrible earthquake, but for contrarian investors, Japanese stocks could look good value. Capital CFDs quotes a price of 9,540-9,550 for the Nikkei 225. Mothercare reports its earnings on Wednesday. Its [...]
FTSE is likely to dip May 15, 2011 THE FTSE 100 index finished down around 50 points on the week last week; not a significant drop but the momentum is to the down-side as the blue chip UK index failed to hold a rally above 6,000 earlier in the session, and slumped on renewed global economic growth doubts and continued pressure on commodity [...]
WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD May 15, 2011 THE big money is calling a halt to the surge in stock prices. Declines in oil and metals prices are being seen by an increasing number of fund managers and strategists as a signal to get out of riskier areas of the equity market. And that means avoiding things like Chinese IPOs and sticking to [...]
What to do if a hedge fund comes looking for your debt May 15, 2011 WITH bank loans tricky for small businesses to get their hands on, staying in the black is becoming more difficult. While this is terribly stressful for entrepreneurs, hedge fund managers are rubbing their hands together with glee. And if the stereotype is anything to go by those nasty chaps are determined to cut themselves a [...]
THE CITY MUST NOT FORGET ITS CREATIVE EDGE May 15, 2011 IT is no fluke that Britain’s young, creative businesses are concentrated in London. Two out of three international advertising agencies have their European headquarters in the capital. It is the home of one of the largest film centres in the world, some of the largest and most important fashion schools, design schools, stage schools and [...]
Hedging your spread betting portfolio to limit downsides May 15, 2011 ONE of the biggest draws of spread betting is the sheer range of markets that are offered. If it moves, you can put a spread bet on it. But faced with this huge range of markets, there is always the temptation to simply find one sector and stick with it. But prudent investors should approach [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD in association with GFT May 15, 2011 COMPANY NEWS ● On Monday, Phoenix will release its first quarter trading update. The FTSE 250 insurance group specialises in the management and acquisition of closed life and pension funds. ● On Tuesday, Vodafone releases its final results. Analysts expect profits to be down on 2010 figures. ● There are plenty of AGMs throughout the [...]