FTSE lifted by strong corporate results March 1, 2012 The FTSE 100 edged up this morning led by the financial and energy sectors, while heavyweights WPP and Man Group reporting strong results. London’s blue chip index gained despite losses in the US and Asia triggered by the Fed failing to signal and more stimulus measures and mixed economic data out of China. Factory figures [...]
Three arrested in insider dealing probe March 1, 2012 Three people have been arrested and are being held in custody in Britain in relation to an insider-dealing investigation, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulator has said. “The Financial Services Authority, with the assistance of Cheshire and Lancashire Constabularies, has this morning executed three search warrants at premises in Northwich and Rossendale,” the FSA said [...]
Man Group lifted by more buoyant 2012 March 1, 2012 Man Group, the world’s biggest listed hedge fund firm, cheered investors with news of lower fund outflows in a more buoyant 2012 for financial markets and said clients could begin to return after recent heavy withdrawals. The firm, whose shares have halved over the past year on concerns over outflows and the performance of its [...]
UK manufacturing sector growth slows March 1, 2012 Britain’s manufacturing sector grew in February, albeit at a slower pace than in the previous month, raising chances the sector will be a driver of growth for the overall economy in the first quarter. The Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) ticked down to 51.2 from a slightly downwardly revised 52.0 in January, which was [...]
China factory growth picks up March 1, 2012 China’s factories grew more than expected in February as new export orders for big firms bounced back, a government survey showed, while a private-sector report portrayed a different picture of smaller companies lagging behind the rebound. China’s official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to 51.0, above expectations of 50.7 and higher than 50.5 in January, [...]
House prices rise more than expected March 1, 2012 House prices rose more than expected in February, data from mortgage lender Nationwide showed. Nationwide said that house prices ticked up by a seasonally adjusted 0.6 percent on the month – the biggest rise since April 2010 – and were 0.9 percent higher than a year earlier. That is follows a surprise monthly fall in [...]
Stagecoach buoyed by British rail performance March 1, 2012 Transport group Stagecoach said recent trade had been good, driven by strong growth at its rail businesses, and that it was hopeful of winning more rail franchises in Britain. “Overall current trading remains good and we believe the prospects for the group remain positive,” the company said in a statement on Thursday. “The overall profitability [...]
WPP profits rise as it awaits Olympics boost March 1, 2012 WPP, the world’s largest ad group, posted a better-than-expected 19 rise in 2011 profit, and reaffirmed its targets for 2012, when it will benefit from the Olympics, European Soccer Championships and the US presidential election. The company, whose portfolio includes Young & Rubicam, Ogilvy & Mather, and Group M, posted headline pretax profit of £1.229bn [...]
GOLD SLUMPS AS FED COOLS ON QE3 February 29, 2012 GOLD plummeted yesterday as traders gambled that the American recovery is set to rule out further monetary stimulus, dubbed QE3. Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke appeared more upbeat than usual during his testimony to politicians in Washington DC, giving no hint that more quantitative easing is on the cards. Ultra-loose money has previously been one [...]
James Murdoch quits as News International chairman February 29, 2012 JAMES Murdoch has quit his job as executive chairman of News International, in a move that cements his exit from the British newspaper industry and his recent relocation to parent firm News Corp’s New York headquarters. A News Corp statement said his departure would allow him to concentrate on the company’s expanding global television branches. [...]
