China’s metals market retreat tempts bears November 23, 2009 WITH evidence of real recovery from the global economic meltdown still patchy at best, the mining sector – traditionally a “late cyclical” play – should by rights still be in its end-2008 trough. Yet 2009 has seen an amazing resurgence in the sector, borne up on an industrial commodity price recovery defying belief. Bellwether base [...]
SMALL CAPS SHOW MAIN STREET WOES DAVID MORRISON November 23, 2009 WHILE many stock indices in the US and Europe hit fresh yearly highs last week, a flick through the charts points to a loss of upward momentum. The trend for most major indices remains positive, but despite a strong rally following the dip at the end of October, the markets are looking tired. Focusing on [...]
THE LONDON REPORT November 23, 2009 BRITAIN’S top share index ended sharply higher yesterday, snapping a four-day losing streak, with commodity and banking stocks rallying after comments by a senior US Federal Reserve official. The FTSE 100 index finished up 104.09 points, or 2 per cent, at 5,355.50 and recorded its biggest one-day percentage rise in more than six weeks. The [...]
Looking out for Santa November 23, 2009 BY all accounts UK households are digging in for a frugal Christmas this year. Surveys from research groups like retail specialist Verdict predict that, with the threat of rising mortgage rates and tax increases in 2010, shoppers won’t be feeling too jolly this festive season, and spending will drop year-on-year for the first time on [...]
THE TIPSTER November 23, 2009 ASIAN markets have been struggling to keep up with the likes of European and US indices, which have continued to mark new highs for 2009. The Japanese Nikkei has failed around the 10,500 level a few times between July and October but its weakness could provide a buying opportunity ahead of the seasonal rally higher [...]
THE NEW YORK REPORT November 23, 2009 US stocks snapped a three-day losing streak yesterday as stronger-than-expected home sales data fuelled optimism while a weaker dollar boosted commodity-linked stocks. Sales of previously owned US homes rose to their highest level in more than 2-1/2 years last month. That helped to ease concerns about the sector generated last week when another report showed [...]
Win suggests punters should buy England one-day runs November 22, 2009 A SEVEN-WICKET win is a great way for England to start the tour of South Africa, but what does it mean for spread betters? For many, the Test series is of course still the main event, but there are some bets around for punters who can’t wait. Perhaps the tastiest are the bets on the [...]
THE TIPSTER CHRISTMAS WILL BE KEY FOR TED BAKER November 22, 2009 DESIGNER retail brand Ted Baker indicated that business has been good in recent interims as consumers reacted positively to its current collections. It has seen an 18 per cent drop in profits this year, but sales were up 19.8 per cent from this time last year. Ray Kelvin, its CEO, expects it to weather the [...]
Fickle spread betters value edge over loyalty November 22, 2009 ZZZSPREAD BETTING has been in the UK for more than a decade now and it has been growing rapidly in popularity among the private investor community. But just who is your typical spread better, why do they use spread betting and what exactly do they think of all the providers battling it out for market [...]
TAKING A VIEW Trading Outlook November 22, 2009 J&65279;ANE FOLEY R&65279;ESEARCH DIRECTOR, FOREX.COMTHE Bank of England’s forecast that the economy will be growing at 4.1 per cent in 2011 is a nice thought, but nobody really believes it. A survey by Bloomberg points to a consensus expectation of just 1.90 per cent in 2011 following a moderate 1.1 per cent upturn in 2010. [...]