BEST of the BROKERS April 25, 2012 ARM HOLDINGS Investec maintains its “buy” rating on the microchip maker because of good long-term prospects. The target price is static at 800p, due to the last quarter’s “uneventful” results and no catalysts on the horizon. Costs were slightly higher than expected, and foreign exchange movements have prompted a modest forecast cut for the full [...]
Recessionary data brushed off as FTSE mirrors gains seen on Wall St April 25, 2012 THE UK’s blue-chip index closed up yesterday, shrugging off weak UK GDP figures showing Britain slipped back into recession and disappointing first-quarter results from drugmaker Glaxosmithkline, as investors awaited results from a key US Federal Reserve meeting. Early gains on the FTSE 100 index were led by a rise on Wall Street, which opened up [...]
Apple and Fed combine to boost equities April 25, 2012 US stocks rallied yesterday, with Apple’s surge giving the Nasdaq its biggest gain of the year, while the Fed chairman reassured markets that the central bank would do more if necessary to lift the economy. Apple fueled optimism that the current earnings season would be much stronger than expected, generating gains across all market sectors. [...]
Commodities may deliver the goods April 25, 2012 The market dynamics that have been driving the commodity markets for the last 18 months remain in place LAST year, the commodity markets were dominated by the seemingly irrepressible rise of gold – with $5,000 an ounce figures being bandied around as potential targets for the yellow metal. That was before margin calls and a [...]
The MPC shouldn’t rely on the new GDP figures – and nor should you April 25, 2012 WHO should we believe on the economy: the CBI – which released a relatively positive survey of industrial trends yesterday; or the Office for National Statistics which told us that the economy was back in recession? It is not just the CBI which is showing a more positive picture of economic growth than the official [...]
Obama’s reputation needs protection against his own Secret Service detail April 25, 2012 NO LONGER servants, and no longer civil.” Winston Churchill’s adage to describe the British bureaucracy could also be applied to the public mood today across the United States. The White House has been on the defensive over the past ten days, seeking to mitigate the fallout from two scandals that will certainly contribute to the [...]
It’s time to think creatively about growth in the UK April 25, 2012 WITH Britain said to be back in recession after four years of economic turmoil, it’s time we had a creative rethink. A lot has been said about the need for an enterprise-led recovery – and you will find no greater champion of entrepreneurship than me. Small and young businesses are the backbone of our economy, [...]
As Britain returns to a technical recession, what course should George Osborne take? April 25, 2012 PLAN A+ Mark Littlewood George Osborne must not change course. On the contrary, he needs to redouble his efforts and rediscover the steely determination that the coalition has recently lacked. The government’s apparent bravery in tackling public expenditure looks set to result in spending flat-lining, not markedly falling, between now and 2015. The budget deficit [...]
RAPID responses April 25, 2012 Hope against hope [Re: A tax on heritage, Tuesday] I own a Grade II listed house that we wanted to refurbish. We’ve spent a large amount on design proposals and planning permission and we may have to shelve our project and sell up as we can’t afford the extra in tax. We’re not building a [...]
Lawyers must plan carefully before packing their bags April 25, 2012 ASURVEY by Laurence Simons, the legal recruiters, recently found that 67 per cent of lawyers would consider relocating abroad as their next career move. Reasons included a tightened job market in London and a perception that practising law in emerging markets, in Dubai, in Russia or Australia would prove lucrative, both monetarily and for future [...]
