Meet the oil man who is toughing out the harsh new era of low prices May 31, 2009 THE CHIEF executive of oil services business Wood Group Allister Langlands is in remarkably relaxed mood for a man who has seen oil plummet from $147 (£91) a barrel last July to around $65 currently, with all the mothballing of lucrative new projects a slump like that brings. The Aberdeen-based firm may have posted an [...]
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 [...]
MARK ON THE MARKETS May 31, 2009 THERE will be plenty for the market to mull over this week. Amongst the economic news, we are expecting PMI surveys, consumer confidence and PPI out of the UK; unemployment figures from the eurozone; as well as consumption data-including the Fed’s preferred inflation measure-from the US. On Wednesday we will hear the views of Fed [...]
In a range-bound market, predicting the peak can pay May 31, 2009 FOLLOWING substantial rallies back in April and early May on the back of green shoots, the blue-chip FTSE 100 has levelled off over the past month. Although the pace of decline is slowing, there are concerns that shares have risen too fast. The leading UK index has since been range bound between 4,300 and 4,500. [...]
GERMAN DATA PUTS EURO ON THE BACK FOOT May 31, 2009 THIS week brings policy meetings from the Bank of England, the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Bank of Canada and the European Central Bank. While the market is not expecting a change in policy from any of these central banks, the rhetoric will be closely monitored for any signs of cautious optimism. The ECB’s policy [...]
THE TIPSTER AVOID THE DASH FOR TRASH May 31, 2009 AN economic recovery still remains uncertain so avoid the “dash for trash” and look for stocks that have intrinsic value. The banks have been having a tough time but one that’s stood out is Standard Chartered, which has been making a series of senior appointments to its capital markets team in recent months. The bank’s [...]
The world’s best beach May 31, 2009 THERE is a beach in the Seychelles that has long been a hidden secret. The bay of La Petite Anse has been known only to 18th century pirates and more recent intrepid backpackers. The latest Lonely Planet guide suggests that this beach, on a once inaccessible corner of the island of Mahe, might just be [...]
Top summer looks for the little people May 31, 2009 WHETHER you are holidaying in Blackpool or the Bahamas this summer, your little ones should look effortlessly cool and comfortable as they run riot on the beach. With this season’s fabulously colourful children’s collections offering everything from kaftans to khakis, there is no reason why your little darlings shouldn’t look as stylish as the grown-ups. [...]
Shock Nadal exit is boost for Murray May 31, 2009 DEFENDING champion Rafael Nadal’s bid for a fifth successive French Open title ended abruptly yesterday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history. The world No1 took a 31-match unbeaten run at Roland Garros into his clash with Robin Soderling, but was always on the back foot against the 23rd seed and slumped [...]
Mauled Lions hit by early fitness fears May 31, 2009 BRITISH and Irish Lions head coach Ian McGeechan is today set to name a much-changed side for Wednesday’s second tour match, against Golden Lions. McGeechan has been forced to shuffle his pack with a number of players already nursing injuries, just a week into the tour of South Africa. Centre Keith Earls, who made a [...]
