European Report: Shares climb to highest level since January February 17, 2014 EUROPEAN shares climbed to a three-week high in thin volumes yesterday, extending a strong two-week rally fuelled by record inflows from a greater number of investors betting on the region’s economic recovery. Data showing brisk lending in China, the world’s biggest metals consumer, boosted miners, with BHP Billiton and Glencore Xstrata rising 1.2 per cent [...]
Europe has reached a turning point – we now need to rescue it from the EU February 17, 2014 THE COMING European Parliament elections could be a turning point: our moment to save Europe from the EU. But for that to happen, Europeans must realise the real future they face under the current system, and the risks involved in underestimating Brussels. I have been interested in politics since I was a kid, and that [...]
It’s time to abolish universal benefits for pensioners – but expect a backlash February 17, 2014 I’D JUST arrived in the office when the telephone rang. The enraged caller let rip in a 10 minute diatribe before threatening to put something disgusting through my letter box. For similar reasons, a colleague once received a death threat. Had we waded into a controversial debate on culture and diversity? Immigration? Perhaps free speech [...]
UK asset managers can boost competitive edge with more transparency February 17, 2014 WHEN we asked asset managers and investors to name the most important issue facing the sector, the answer was overwhelmingly how clients’ funds are spent through dealing commission. The growing consensus that more can be done to ensure clients’ funds are used fairly reflects a wider cultural shift across financial services. Firms in all sectors [...]
Letters to the Editor – 18/02 – Scotland relations, Stamp duty, Best of Twitter February 17, 2014 Scotland relations [Osborne’s claims that Scotland couldn’t use the pound don’t stack up, Thursday] Ruling out a currency zone after Scottish independence carries risks for both sides. The rest of the UK will unilaterally erect customs posts and force people to change money when they cross the border. This would damage trade and the free movement [...]
Three market-moving political risks leave little room for error February 17, 2014 Italy, Scotland and the EU could all prompt serious ripples AS ITALY’S Democratic Party leader Matteo Renzi was given the mandate to form a new government yesterday (the country’s fourth since the start of the Eurozone crisis in 2009), Italian 10-year bond yields dropped to their lowest level in eight years. Uncertainty stemming from Italy’s [...]
CNBC Comment: Strong sterling could swing Bank on rates February 17, 2014 IF YOU’RE thinking about going abroad soon, the good news is that the pound just keeps getting stronger. Although the rally took a breather yesterday, sterling is up at five-year highs against a basket of currencies, and up near a three-year peak versus the dollar. This is being driven by two factors. On the one [...]
DailyFX Tips & Picks: How to trade with the trend with this popular indicator February 17, 2014 WHAT if I told you that, if you trade with the trend, you’re more likely to be profitable? Now what if I told you that there is an indicator that helps you identify the trend to ensure you’re on the right side of the market? There is, and it’s called Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD). [...]
DailyFX Tips & Picks: Analyst’s pick February 17, 2014 CURRENCY STRATEGIST CHRIS VECCHIO My pick: Sterling-yen short invalidated; sterling-dollar hits key level Expertise: Fundamental and technical analysis with risk management Average time frame of trades: A few hours to a few weeks Last week I suggested that a “close above ¥168.21 would portend to further strength in the near-term” for sterling-yen. Almost immediately our [...]
The M235i is petrol-head nirvana February 17, 2014 BMW has outdone itself with this riotously fast, remarkably good value addition to its world-beating M-range America: land of the free, home of the brave – a famous phrase that probably wasn’t meant to apply to the speed limits. Which is tricky, given this new BMW M235i does 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, and the local [...]
