DRAGHI TURNOVER RAISES ECB MOVES November 6, 2011 ON THURSDAY, the world’s equity markets got an unexpected, but thoroughly welcome present: a 25 basis points reduction in the European Central Bank’s (ECB) key lending rate. And the generous benefactor? None other than Mario Draghi, its newly installed head. Analysts had not expected the move, not least because Draghi only assumed his new role [...]
FTSE ends the day higher on EU hope November 3, 2011 INVESTORS shrugged off chaos in the Eurozone as Britain’s top share index climbed higher yesterday, with leaders of the most powerful nations meeting in France in an effort to solve Europe’s crippling debt crisis. London’s blue chip index rose 61.54 points, or 1.1 per cent, to 5,545.64, as the index continued to recoup the sharp [...]
Stocks rally on Greece November 3, 2011 US stocks rallied for a second day yesterday as Greece backed away from a proposed referendum that threatened its membership in the euro. The European Central Bank also provided a happy surprise early to investors with an interest rate cut, a sign of a more aggressive approach to confront weak growth in the region. “There’s [...]
FTSE 100 swings up on rosy corporate earnings November 2, 2011 BRITAIN’S top share index rose yesterday, regaining half the previous day’s fall and bucking a three-day slide, buoyed by earnings news and US data in a volatile session that was overshadowed by the hazy Eurozone debt-crisis outlook. Mining and oil firms were among the best performers, helped by rising crude and metals prices, as well [...]
Wall Street makes gains in spite of low trading volumes November 2, 2011 US stocks rebounded from two days of sharp losses yesterday after the Federal Reserve said it is prepared to do more for the economy if conditions warrant, helping to stanch the panicky reaction to Europe’s debt crisis. Trading volume was light, however, possibly signaling that worries about Greece hold greater sway than the Fed at [...]
Keep a cool head – put a lock on greed November 2, 2011 AS ANY elite athlete will tell you, timing is everything. It is just as true for investing. When you get in and out of a market is often vital for returns. As Warren Buffett – before his foray into advising the US government on taxation policy – said in a sage piece of advice: “Be [...]
Junior Isas no panacea November 2, 2011 ON TUESDAY, a new product was born. For months, providers have been working overtime, trying to enthuse parents with a desire for Junior Isas. The table shows the offerings on the cash side, with the big banks yet to step into the ring. Junior cash Isas don’t match up to current inflation at 5.2 per [...]
Why managed accounts are an investor’s best friend November 2, 2011 Amit Mehta says institutions should opt for hands-on professional management Recent scandals, such as the Madoff disaster, have burnt investors over recent years, and the recession, which has led to a strong distrust of the banking sector, are among the main drivers behind the trend of investors opting for managed accounts instead of traditional hedge [...]
Sick with stress: It can happen to us all November 2, 2011 LLOYDS Banking Group boss Antonio Horta-Osorio shocked us all when he announced that he would be taking time off due to fatigue. The pressure seems to have finally got to the high-flying chief executive known for his fast-paced style. So severe is Horta-Osorio’s condition that doctors have given him orders to rest until the end [...]
Improve your speech with five minutes prep November 2, 2011 CAREERS COACH FOR those put on the spot at short notice and those too lazy to prepare, decide, and then stick to, what you are trying to achieve with the speech. Do you want to inform or persuade? What defines the speech’s success? Remind yourself that you are not there to fill time with noise [...]
