Ask the experts: what’s to come November 14, 2011 ALPARI JAMES HUGHES Now gold has finished its relentless march higher, traders have almost started to take stock of the wreckage of all other asset classes. It was inevitable after the huge surge in prices that, once the end came, the profit takers would be out in force moving prices significantly lower again. However, while [...]
THE TIPSTER November 14, 2011 THE London Stock Exchange has been finding things tough recently battling against protesters sitting outside its head office and the prospect of a Europe-wide financial transaction tax. On top of this, several failed mergers and takeovers of the exchange have left it in a tricky position when compared to the competition. On Wednesday it releases [...]
Five weird and wonderful things to get trading November 14, 2011 1 The Vix index The Vix, also known as the fear index, allows traders to bet on the expected volatility of the stock market in the next 30 days. Mike van Dulken, the head of research at Accendo Markets, says: “It’s great if you’re long stocks or commodities. It’s a great hedge.” 2 Lumber Trading [...]
Loosen those belts: no diets allowed at City beef-house November 14, 2011 HOW much can one genuflect to the gods of steak? In London these days, the answer is a lot. And when an outlet of Hawksmoor opens up, it’s practically illegal not to sink to one’s knees in praise. And then sink one’s teeth in. You’ve probably already been to Hawksmoor in Spitalfields or Seven Dials. [...]
QUAFFER’S CORNER November 14, 2011 HEAD SOMMELIER AND MANAGER OF LUTYENS RESTAURANT BEING from the New World, I’m accustomed to thinking of grape growing as a specialised activity but, in fact, in parts of Europe it is the norm to grow grapes as part of a pattern of mixed agriculture, combining it with fruit or nut trees, perhaps a cow [...]
FOOD AND BOOZE | AROUND TOWN November 14, 2011 • With cutesy no-reservation restaurants opening by the bucketful in Soho, there’s now a dedicated cocktail lounge for those who want to cut straight to the chase after dinner or a show. Set over two floors, the style is boho chic: velvet sofas and button-back armchairs plus French windows and a long and a long [...]
Osborne in hunt for growth plan November 13, 2011 CHANCELLOR George Osborne is in talks with institutional investors about getting private cash to fund billions in infrastructure projects as part of a desperate bid to get the economy moving despite the global debt crisis. Among the ideas being mulled by HM Treasury is the establishment of an infrastructure investment fund to channel private money [...]
EU’s Monti named as Italian PM November 13, 2011 MARIO Monti, former European Commissioner, was appointed Prime Minister last night by Italian President Georgio Napolitano. He replaces Silvio Berlusconi, who lost his majority in parliament last week during a vote on a routine finance bill and resigned on Saturday. Markets and Eurozone leaders hope Monti will usher in a period of calm after the [...]
UK’s plan to cut sick bills November 13, 2011 WHITEHALL Mandarins are understood to be close to finalising a deal aimed at cutting the UK’s £13bn sickness absence bill. Officials hope to have new rules ready by the end of the month to discourage sick leave, including enrolling workers on a health insurance scheme. The plan could see workers – as well as employers [...]
Even Super-Mario may not save Italy November 13, 2011 THEY call him Super-Mario, for reasons that aren’t quite clear. But Mario Monti, Italy’s non-elected new prime minister, will certainly need super-powers if he is to save Italy from ruin, and prevent a major recession in the Eurozone and hence in the UK. Italy’s main problem is that its economy has barely grown since joining [...]
