Investors hope for further optimism June 28, 2009 THERE has been a noticeable air of optimism about the markets lately, and investors will be looking for signs to validate their cheer. Premier Foods, kicking the week off today with its first half trading statement, should not disappoint. Analysts at Royal Bank of Scotland anticipate that Premier will reiterate good sales growth, costs under [...]
This week’s key numbers will signal if recovery is sustained June 28, 2009 IT’S A mixed call for the opening of the stock markets this morning, with GFT calling the FTSE 100 and French CAC 40 to open virtually unchanged at 4,243 and 3,137 respectively. The German DAX on the other hand is expected to start the week on a more positive note, up 20 points at 4,796. [...]
Murray’s form is a boon for betters June 28, 2009 WITH Andy Murray looking strong and opponents unable to put up much of a fight, this could be an interesting week for British tennis. Looking at the Wimbledon draw, there seems to be nobody except Federer to challenge the Scottish baseliner, unless Lleyton Hewitt can pull off something spectacular. That Murray has started calling him [...]
THE TIPSTER OIL PRESSURE COULD DRIVE PRICES UP June 28, 2009 OIL stocks have been finding their way into many portfolios recently, with US crude back above $70 per barrel and the threat of further disruption in Nigeria helping to support prices. New problems at Gazprom and in the Ukraine could mean further unease in the energy sector, and prices could rise further as we move [...]
THE LONDON REPORT June 25, 2009 THE FTSE 100 dropped 0.6 per cent yesterday, led by banks after a trading update from Standard Chartered failed to excite investors while commodity stocks were also under pressure. The index closed down 27.41 points at 4,252.57, after gaining 1.2 pe rcent in the previous session. Banks shaved most points off the index after Asia-focused [...]
NEW YORK REPORT June 25, 2009 US stocks rallied yesterday as investors were relieved that Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke withstood congressional questioning without problems. Retailers and home builders led stocks higher for much of the session, helped by a suprising profit increase from retailer Bed Bath & Beyond. Stocks extended gains shortly before midday as investors took Bernanke’s hearing in [...]
THE LONDON REPORT June 24, 2009 MINERS and banks were buoyed by better US durable goods data yesterday, offsetting weaker food retailers and producers and driving the FTSE 100 up by 1.2 per cent, or 49.96 points, to close at 4,279.98. The index has gained more than 23 per cent since hitting a six-year low in March, but is still down [...]
PA sought: grads with languages, intellect and drive may apply June 24, 2009 ANYBODY in the financial industry looking to employ a competent secretary or executive assistant would do well to avoid BBC3’s latest drama offering. Personal Affairs, about a trio of secretaries working for a London bank, proposes a world of twirling bimbos who appear to be good for little other than photocopying, gossiping and inspiring the [...]
CAREER CASE STUDY June 24, 2009 CARMEL BOURKE, SENIOR PA AT GLOBAL INSURANCE FIRMI didn’t go to secretarial school or anything, but that’s not really what it’s about now. Most people think of it as filling in calendars and taking dictation, but it’s not that anymore. It’s really about understanding the message being put across to the client, asking lots of [...]
CAREERS CLINIC June 24, 2009 LINDA JACKSONMANAGING DIRECTOR, FAIRPLACEI used to work in fund management, but quit three years ago to bring up my children. I’m looking to return to work, but have lost touch with most of my old contacts and am worried, in this job market, that I’ll have trouble getting employed. What can I do to improve [...]