Japan returns to surplus as exports surge April 9, 2012 STRONG demand from a resurgent US boosted Japan’s economy in February, official data showed yesterday. The country’s current account balance swung back into surplus as exports jumped and gains from overseas investments reversed the record deficit registered in February. The surplus came in at ¥1.78 trillion (£13.7bn) according to finance ministry data – the strongest [...]
London leads UK recovery, but large retailers drag on growth April 9, 2012 THE ECONOMY is growing once more – and London led the recovery in the first quarter, influential survey data showed yesterday. However, other indicators pointed to weakness in some parts of the UK, with increasing numbers of retailers entering administration in the first three months of the year. Every English region except the north east [...]
Price jump hits hopes of easy money in China April 9, 2012 CONSUMER prices in China rose more sharply than expected in March, official figures showed yesterday, raising fears that the authorities may have less room than hoped to stimulate economic growth through lower interest rates. Inflation jumped to 3.6 per cent in the year to March, up from 3.2 per cent a month earlier and representing [...]
Black market booze, cigarettes and diesel lose taxman £30bn April 9, 2012 HIGHER taxes may boost the black market, a pressure group claimed yesterday as figures revealed the Treasury loses tens of billions of pounds from illicit sales of alcohol, tobacco and fuel. The government lost out to the tune of £28.5bn from illegal sales between 2005-06 and 2009-10, figures from the Taxpayers’ Alliance showed. The group [...]
Rise in hiring as economy starts growing April 9, 2012 JOB vacancies in the UK rose at their fastest rate since November 2008 last month, led by a boom in IT hiring, according to data out today from an online recruiter. Opportunities rose eight per cent over the year to March, the Monster Employment Index showed, with IT vacancies up 25 per cent to their [...]
The week ahead could offer signs of recovery April 9, 2012 THE Easter Bank Holiday may have shortened the week, but the market may not be short on volatility. Given the lack of major economic and corporate announcements, this week, volume could well be below average. However, traders would be unwise to take their eyes off the ball. It is usually at times like these that [...]
House prices struggle despite duty incentive April 9, 2012 HOUSE prices fell again in March, despite higher buying activity ahead of the expiry of the stamp duty holiday, industry figures showed today. Ten per cent more surveyors reported prices falling than rising in the three months to March, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) survey. The fall represents a slowdown from [...]
AT&T sells off Yellow Pages April 9, 2012 AT&T said on yesterday that it would sell a 53 per cent stake in its declining Yellow Pages business to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management in a deal worth $950m including debt. Under the terms of the deal, AT&T will receive $750m in cash, subject to adjustment, and Cerberus will take on $200m in [...]
Boeing inks Dreamliner deal April 9, 2012 PLANEMAKER Boeing said yesterday it has finalised a deal with Russia’s Transaero Airlines for four 787-8 Dreamliners, worth $744m (£468m) at list prices. Boeing’s Dreamliner is a lightweight carbon-composite aircraft that was three years late to market but is popular with customers. The plane-maker, which competes for orders with EADS unit Airbus, has about 850 [...]
Excuses and fear could keep markets down April 9, 2012 HOW many times since October have you heard the words, “I think the equity market has run up too fast and I’m waiting for a correction before I commit money”? The answer is lots, of course. Second question: how many of these people will be committing money to the market now we’ve seen a bit [...]
