THE WEEK AHEAD April 11, 2010 AFTER a slew of central bank monetary policy decisions last week, this week is dominated by consumer-focused data. In the UK, we’ll get the British Retail Consortium’s March figures and the RICS’ house price balance for last month at midnight tomorrow. Thursday at midnight sees the release of the March Nationwide consumer confidence survey. It [...]
Pair off US banks this results season April 11, 2010 IT WAS only 18 months ago that the large-cap US banking sector looked like it was on its knees. Since then the banks have been nursed back to health. Later this week we will find out how far they are on the road to recovery. The two largest banks in the US, JP Morgan and [...]
The Tipster April 11, 2010 MINING stocks have been subject to a bit of profit-taking recently but the dips have provided spread betters with renewed buying opportunities. Mining giant Rio Tinto holds its AGM on Thursday and it has been one of the most popular miners. Capital Spreads quotes 3,952p-3,957p. Iron ore producer Ferrexpo has been one of the market’s [...]
SPREAD BET GURU April 11, 2010 JOSHUA RAYMOND MARKET STRATEGIST josh@cityindex.com Q. Dear Josh, with the general election announced, what will the market focus on? A. British investors will keep an eye on the progress of both Labour and the Conservatives as we head closer to election day. The issue of a hung parliament is long-standing and we have already seen [...]
The first 100 days are key for managers April 11, 2010 RIGHT now, many people’s minds are focused on 6 May, and the general election. But those who are likely to be in power might do well to turn their minds towards the day after, when they actually walk into their departments and have to starting getting things done. And that means dealing with the Sir [...]
CAREERS CLINIC April 11, 2010 Some members of my team have left and my workload has increased massively. I’m finding it hard to cope. Are there any tips for survival? Marcus, analyst. When people get overloaded with work they feel powerless to change the situation. Take 30 minutes out; go outside, or to the coffee bar, away from your desk. [...]
FTSE 100 declines on weaker metal prices and concerns over Greek debt April 8, 2010 Britain’s top share index posted its steepest one-day decline in six weeks yesterday, pressured by miners hit by weaker metals prices, and banks on revived concern over Greece’s debt. The FTSE 100 closed 49.36 points, or 0.9 per cent, lower at 5,712.70, its lowest close since March 31, after it shed 0.3 per cent on [...]
Wall Street rises on strong March retail sales data April 8, 2010 US stocks gained yesterday after strong March retail sales increased optimism that the economic recovery is on track. Investors snapped up retailers’ shares after top US chains reported a record year-over-year increase in same-store sales for March. The sales reflected a boost in consumer demand that some investors doubted would materialize so soon. Online merchant [...]
Continuing Greek crisis means euro is still facing a long fight for its life April 8, 2010 THE blowing out of the Greek bond yields this week brings the Greek government’s debt crisis closer to boiling over. Having met its funding requirement for April, the Greek government may have a few weeks to decide on its next step. That said, with every incremental increase in Greek bond yields a decision either to [...]
Take control of your pension plan and enjoy your old age April 8, 2010 IT IS estimated that only one in three adults under 30 are putting any money at all into a pension scheme. And little wonder when young people’s primary concerns are paying off debts accumulated in student years, saving up for those 40 per cent mortgage deposits and, truth be told, enjoying life. Retirement seems far [...]