Market steady as corporate results kick off – New York Report July 20, 2015 GAINS from a better-than-expected start to corporate earnings season, which boosted investor confidence, were curbed by a drop in commodities yesterday. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 13.96 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 18,100.41, the S&P 500 gained 1.64 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 2,128.28 and the Nasdaq Composite added 8.72 points, or [...]
The Bank of England could – and should– have raised UK interest rates much sooner July 20, 2015 Heartening as it was to hear the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, dropping hints last week about the raising of Bank Rate, serious doubts remain over the effectiveness of the low interest rate regime in reviving the economy. Moreover, the impression continues to be given that the delay in raising rates carries [...]
How the Eurozone could survive without building a European super state July 20, 2015 When the euro was adopted, British sceptics argued that it was impossible to have a single currency without a single country. They suggested that you need central control of fiscal policy to stop governments from borrowing too much. It was also argued that you would need huge fiscal transfers to depressed countries given that they [...]
Ivan Massow: I don’t love Heathrow – but we shouldn’t let Nimbyism block a crucial new runway July 20, 2015 It’s no secret that London Conservatives are deeply divided on Heathrow expansion. So far, I’m the party’s only mayoral candidate to support the Davies Commission’s recommendation that the airport should get a third runway. In fact, one of us would rather resign than see it happen. I was there when Jeffrey Archer “resigned” as the [...]
After concerns that it is veering left, is Labour in danger of making itself utterly unelectable? July 20, 2015 Ben Page, chief executive of Ipsos MORI, says Yes The US writer David Frum wrote: “when a political party offers voters ham and eggs and the voters say, ‘no, thanks’, its first instinct is to say, ‘OK then, how about double ham and double eggs?’” It is early days, but Labour has just suffered an [...]
Investors buy up absolute return funds as volatility spikes July 20, 2015 Volatility in bond and equity markets has picked up lately, and risks seem to be cropping up in every part of the globe. Now investors are turning to absolute return funds – which aim to create returns in rising or falling markets – for safety. At the moment, many investors are finding it tricky [...]
New Zealand dollar: Rock star no longer – CNBC Comment July 20, 2015 It’s that time of the year again – the excitement of the Ashes is palpable. There are a lot of cricket fans in my office and, although I can’t count myself as one of them, a crash course has taught me that the Antipodean teams often win. Indeed, Sunday marked a crushing defeat for England [...]
Gold’s plunge hasn’t taken it off the table for traders – eToro Tips & Picks July 20, 2015 After a week that has been dominated by earnings and the Greek debacle, traders are now looking to focus on assets that are a little more of the norm. However, with more in the way of earnings yet to come and the risk of Eurozone news again upsetting the balance, traders do still remain risk-off. [...]
Car review: Honda’s Civic Type R could give most super-cars a run for their money July 20, 2015 If you want to get ahead in F1, don’t get a Honda. It’s rejoined the sport this season and is currently powering to its worst-ever year as part of the McLaren team. The drivers count themselves lucky to even finish a race and, when they do, they’re usually at the back. For now though, [...]
Not convinced? July 20, 2015 CHECK OUT THESE ALTERNATIVES… RENAULT SPORT MEGANE TROPHY PRICE: £28,930 0-62MPH: 6.0 secs TOP SPEED: 158mph CO2 G/KM: 174g/km MPG COMBINED: 25.4mpg THE VERDICT: DESIGN Two Stars PERFORMANCE Three Stars PRACTICALITY Three Stars VALUE FOR MONEY Two Stars SEAT LEON CUPRA 280 PRICE: £28,210 0-62MPH: 5.8 secs TOP SPEED: 155mph CO2 G/KM: 156g/km THE VERDICT: DESIGN Two Stars [...]
