SPEAKER’S CORNER September 29, 2009 DALE GABBERT PARTNER, REED SMITH FOLLOWING recent controversy surrounding the draft directive for EU hedge fund regulation, some perspective has returned as the Swedes take control of the EU Presidency and attempt to untangle the issues and build some consensus among stakeholders. One of the big areas identified by the Swedes is the need to [...]
THE LONDON REPORT September 28, 2009 BRITAIN’S leading stock index closed 1.6 per cent higher yesterday, with heavyweight banks, miners and energy stocks reversing early losses, helped by a strong opening for the US market. The FTSE 100 rose 83.5 points, or 1.6 per cent, to close at 5,165.70, after rising 0.1 per cent on Friday. “It wasn’t until the US [...]
NEW YORK REPORT September 28, 2009 US stocks rallied yesterday snapping a three-day losing streak, as a spurt of corporate takeovers in the technology and health-care sectors fuelled optimism about share values. Mergers and acquisitions are typically viewed as bullish as it suggests companies are more optimistic about the business outlook. A number of deals were announced and investors bet more [...]
Technologygives your trading a head start September 28, 2009 THESE days, contracts for difference (CFDs) are most often seen as an efficient way of opening positions and building positions that are held for several months. At the moment, though, with crystal balls in short supply and the future uncertain, traders might be wary about making trades that rely on predicting trends. Which is why [...]
RAPID MOVES IN OIL PRICE ARE UNLIKELY September 28, 2009 OIL is one of those markets that are so capricious that it’s hard to resist trading. For those who have dipped a toe into the so-called liquid gold within the last year, it will have been a particularly rough ride. After hitting lows of $34 in December, when actual and perceived demand for oil fell [...]
Markets awaiting USdata September 27, 2009 There could be an eerie sense of trepidation about the markets this week as tomorrow brings us the first anniversary of the Dow’s biggest ever one-day points loss of 777 points, triggered by the failure of the financial bailout bill in the House of Representatives. Wall Street ended last week with its biggest weekly drop [...]
THE TIPSTER ALL EYES ON GDP FIGURES THIS WEEK September 27, 2009 A LOT of bullish confidence is riding on the expectation that the UK will exit recession in the third quarter and so investors will be keenly interested in the final second quarter GDP figures for the UK, which are released tomorrow. Cable (sterling-dollar) could move on the back of any surprises and the pair has [...]
THE LONDON REPORT September 27, 2009 After the recent mixed performance from the High St, all eyes will be on Marks & Spencer on Wednesday as it reports its second-quarter sales. The company’s shares have added 16 per cent over the past three months, and a less-than-positive update could lead to a bit of profit taking on the day. Societe Generale [...]
Excess supply and low demand mean that crude oil could touch a low of $58 September 27, 2009 SEPTEMBER has been a good month for major oil exploration and production companies, with a number of giants such as BP and Tullow striking black gold in recent weeks, sending their share prices soaring. BP’s share price rose more than 4 per cent following the announcement, while Tullow saw a similar gain. But while the [...]
Brown and out in Brighton, but the bets are still on September 27, 2009 WITH the prime minister Gordon Brown being asked on television yesterday whether he is on “pills” on the day the Labour Party conference began, the pressure is mounting on the PM. Although he doesn’t have too many close friends at the moment (except Peter Mandelson, naturally) the chances that he will stand down before the [...]