US rate warning hammers FTSE to April’s lowest close April 18, 2011 BRITAIN’S top shares fell sharply yesterday as ratings agency S&P cut its US credit outlook to negative, but some investors doubt this will spur a much more significant flight from risky assets than already seen. The FTSE 100 closed down 125.93 points, or 2.1 per cent, at 5,870.08, its lowest close since 23 March. Just [...]
Downgrade sparks sell off on Wall St April 18, 2011 THE US stock market tumbled in heavy volume yesterday as Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit outlook of the United States, adding to worries about the global economy after China moved to curb liquidity. Investors also focused on Greece, where financial markets are increasingly convinced the country will have to renegotiate the terms of its [...]
Pharma’s mega-trends should unlock returns April 18, 2011 STAGNATING product development, a tough regulatory climate and pressures from generic producers have seen the profits of the pharmaceutical industry take a hit in the last decade. However, the next chapter in the story should see a reversal, as big pharma takes advantage of ageing populations, the growth of emerging markets and a biotech revolution. [...]
LOSING A GRIP ON THE WALL OF WORRY April 18, 2011 CFD MARKET STRATEGIST, GFT INVESTORS are struggling to keep abreast of all the major issues currently weighing on financial markets. Geopolitically, the situation in Libya is growing more desperate; tensions are still building across the Middle East; the disruption to Japan’s economy and global supply chains due to last month’s earthquake and tsunami has been [...]
Seeking out the resources to keep up with global demand April 18, 2011 GOLDMAN Sachs may have slowed the charge of the commodity bulls last week by suggesting that investors take profits on a basket trade of crude oil, cotton, copper, soybeans and platinum that it recommended in late 2010, but this week the markets have carried on regardless. But with political turmoil affecting the established commodity rich [...]
THE TIPSTER April 18, 2011 SHARES in supermarket Morrison have been on the rise since the end of March, as shoppers still favour promotions in an attempt to offset the squeeze on income from rising prices. Products on promotion account for 40 per cent of sales, which is now at a record high. They are really bringing the competition to [...]
FTSE to break through 6,000 on M&A rumours April 17, 2011 ALTHOUGH clearly nervous around the psychologically significant 6,000 barrier, London’s blue chip index looks set to build on Friday’s gains, with defensive stocks providing the momentum. In 24-hour trading, GFT is forecasting the UK index to open up 20 points from last week’s close, at around 6,016. The German DAX is quoted to open up [...]
WALL STREET WEEK AHEAD April 17, 2011 Earnings could make for a bumpy ride in US stocks this week if more key companies undershoot expectations, possibly causing a spike in volatility. Disappointments from Alcoa, Google and others in the first week of earnings have dampened some of the enthusiasm about results, ensuring that eyes will be glued to reports in the coming [...]
Use ATR in setting stops April 17, 2011 TO KEEP out of the red, traders need to watch out for market volatility. Average True Range (ATR) is a handy weapon in the trader’s arsenal, helping to determine where to set good stop losses. ATR is simply the average difference between highs and lows over a user specified period, explains Malcolm Pryor of www.spreadbettingcentral.co.uk, [...]
SIMPLICITY IS SOMETIMES A TRADER’S ALLY April 17, 2011 CONSULTING ANALYST, INTERTRADER FOR some, trading is an academic endeavour. For others, it is a daily battle they relish and look forward to. When I started out, I thought it was the best job in the world. Today, I have to admit I am sometimes sick of trading. I don’t know what else I would [...]
