Housing data gives US markets a boost June 2, 2009 US stocks rose for the fourth straight day yesterday as an upbeat report on sales of previously owned US homes bolstered hopes for an economic recovery. But a sell-off in financials on worries about the dilutive impact of recent stock offerings limited a broad advance. An index of pending sales of previously owned US homes [...]
Technicals will help you profit from bullish cable outlook June 2, 2009 IN January sterling was the whipping boy of the currency markets, culminating in near-parity with the euro and investors like Jim Rogers proposed dollar parity in 2009. But what a difference six months can make. Yesterday sterling hit another seven-month high against the dollar – up 20 per cent on the pair’s January lows. But [...]
INFLATION NO THREAT TO THE DOLLAR June 2, 2009 BORIS SCHLOSSBERGDIRECTOR OF CURRENCY RESEARCH, GFT OVER the past two weeks, the US dollar has been battered from all sides, hitting yearly lows against the euro, pound and all Commonwealth currencies. Economic data has shown steady improvement, giving investors more confidence to move their capital into higher-yielding, riskier currencies. But the growing fear that US [...]
Making sense of the legal consultation game June 2, 2009 ARE you feeling bemused? You are not alone. The City’s legal framework is undergoing profound change in the form of consultations that could define the direction in which the legal profession is heading. The point of consultations is to generate considered input from a wider number of people, leading to improved proposals. The problem for [...]
THE FSA HAS TO FIGHT TO KEEP GAINS June 2, 2009 DORIAN DREWPARTNER, NORTON ROSE LLP THE FSA has sometimes been called a watchdog with no teeth. That has begun to change, and in recent months there has been a notable increase in success. This, perhaps, is a result of increased activity following criticism of the watchdog. But all of this progress could be undermined. It [...]
Economic cheer sees FTSE break through 4,500 barrier June 1, 2009 THE FTSE 100 ended 2 per cent, or 88.25 points, higher yesterday at 4,506.19 as some unusually upbeat data saw optimism about the global economy rise. Mining stocks led the charge, as metal prices firmed, bolstered by hopes for increased demand particularly following bullish Chinese data. China’s official purchasing managers index for May stayed above [...]
Chapter 11 at GM sends US stocks up June 1, 2009 US stocks rose yesterday, sending the S&P 500 to its highest close in seven months, as reassuring economic data reinforced hopes that demand will stabilise, while General Motors’ long-expected bankruptcy filing ended uncertainty about the carmaker’s fate. Data showing that the US manufacturing sector contracted in May at a slower rate than expected fuelled hopes [...]
Lower market volatility sees swing trading appeal rising June 1, 2009 IT might be tempting for a trader to despair in these markets. Volatility is low – as measured by the CBOE’s Volatility Index it is below the 30 mark, compared with 89 in October. There is little movement anywhere. Take for example the FTSE 100, which is stuck in the 4,300-4,500 range. Day trading has [...]
TRADERS LOOK BEYOND THE US DOLLAR June 1, 2009 MARK OUTTENSENIOR DEALER, GFT PRIOR to 2007 it seemed that every time you turned on a financial news channel someone would mention the “carry trade,” which involved buying and holding currencies with the highest interest rates against currencies with the lowest. Many gambled that the difference in relative yields would more than compensate the holder [...]
All eyes on the Bank but is giving credit all that is due? May 31, 2009 A STRING of economic data is due over the next five days which, after a relative drought recently, are likely to impact investor confidence should there be any surprises. The Bank of England will be acutely aware of this ahead of its interest rate decision on Thursday. With most economists predicting the central bank to [...]