The early bird catches the worm: how traders use leading indicators June 14, 2010 JUST when we thought those fragile green shoots of recovery in the developed world were starting to flower, a recent swath of disappointing data has dashed traders’ hopes of stronger growth. Besides the ongoing sovereign debt crisis in the Eurozone, the recovery in the US jobs market has been much weaker than expected and Finland [...]
FTSE rises for fourth day in a row as miners offset a sharp decline for BP June 14, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index closed higher yesterday for a fourth straight day, led by miners buoyed by firmer metals prices and offsetting a sharp fall in BP. The FTSE 100 index closed up 38.45 points, or 0.7 per cent, at 5,202.13, its highest close since 3 June. Mining stocks added the most points to the [...]
Wall St surrenders gains as Moody’s cuts Greece June 14, 2010 US STOCKS ended little changed in a low-volume session yesterday after a downgrade of Greece’s debt took the wind out of the market’s sails. Equities have been sensitive to debt problems in Greece and other European nations in recent months on concerns the Eurozone’s fiscal problems will hamper a global economic recovery. The Dow Jones [...]
Be discerning about Europe’s banking sector June 13, 2010 THE last two years have been cataclysmic for the global banking sector. Yet most banks managed to stay afloat during the financial crisis and have returned to profitability this year. And after the wave of volatility that hit the markets in recent weeks, banking stocks are beginning to look cheap. But should investors be buying [...]
THE WORLD CUP TIPSTER June 13, 2010 IT WAS an exciting start to the 2010 World Cup with a tight game between hosts South Africa and Mexico ending in a draw, and an equally tight game between England and the USA. But football traders will be focused on the next games on the schedule. Today sees the Netherlands take on Denmark in [...]
THE TIPSTER June 13, 2010 FOOTBALL results might be capturing everybody’s attention at the moment but there are some key financial scores out this week. Following positive full-year results in March, grocer J Sainsbury is expected to announce first quarter profits this week. Will its management confirm Morrisons’ news that a slowdown in the market has begun? With the firm’s [...]
SPREAD BET GURU June 13, 2010 MARKET STRATEGIST josh@cityindex.com Q. Dear Josh, what are the markets expected to be like during the World Cup? A. If you were thinking that traders are likely to be keeping a close eye on the World Cup and that this could affect volumes, then you are right. Historically, the financial markets have tended to be [...]
US data set to give clues on economic outlook June 13, 2010 US stock investors will keep a close eye on Europe this week, looking for signs the debt crisis may be stabilising, while industrial production, housing starts and inflation data may offer more clues on the US economic outlook. On Friday, an official said the European Union has reached agreement with Greece on how to move [...]
Takeover panel review is wise and thoughtful June 13, 2010 CORPORATE PARTNER, WHITE & CASE THE consultation document issued by the Takeover Panel shortly after the panel’s censure of Kraft over its successful hostile takeover of Cadbury, unusually does not contain changes to the Takeover Code recommended by the panel. Rather, the Takeover Panel is “seeking to provide a forum in which suggestions for possible [...]
Corporate code could foster short-termism June 13, 2010 CORPORATE PARTNER, HOGAN LOVELLS TIDJANE Thiam of the Pru may well be grateful that the new Corporate Governance Code – with its requirement for all directors of FTSE 350 companies to be subject to annual re-election by shareholders – only takes effect from 29 June this year. At the heart of the new code is [...]