Buybacks are back in vogue and stocks will feel the effect April 25, 2010 ONE of the few miracles of this recession is just how well corporate balance sheets have held up. While economic growth has chugged back to life, firms have paid down debt and boosted their cash reserves. So the question is, what will companies do with all of this extra cash? Well, they have already increased [...]
Cleggmania may soon fade, so now is the time to place election bets April 25, 2010 THE televised debates have caused a seismic shift in British politics and we are likely to be spending a good part of election night on the edge of our seats. On Friday, after the second televised debate, the average of all five post-debate polls showed that Nick Clegg and David Cameron were neck and neck [...]
THE TIPSTER April 25, 2010 IMPERIAL Tobacco has been resilient in the past year as it is a very defensive stock but recently it has been correcting to the downside. Tuesday’s interim numbers might provide support and the stock could head back above £20. Capital Spreads’ quote for Imperial Tobacco is 1,959.0p-1,962.0p. Oil and gas firm BG Group has seen [...]
SPREAD BET GURU April 25, 2010 MARKET STRATEGIST josh@cityindex.com Q. Dear Josh, are the investigations into Goldman Sachs by the FSA and the SEC likely to have an impact on bank regulation? A. The main activity in the markets last week up until Friday’s relief rally was to sell the banks. This was despite Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup all [...]
Rejuvenation and wine in Lombardy April 25, 2010 PLINY the Younger wrote his Tragedia and Comedia in a villa on Lake Como and the lake has continued to attract the best and the richest of society, from Madonna and George Clooney to Gianni Versace, Ronaldinho and Sylvester Stallone. Indeed, the lakes of the northern Italian region of Lombardy – the most famous being [...]
TRAVEL NOTES April 25, 2010 Gecko Beach Club reopens After a six-month renovation, this boutique hotel on the island of Formentera (the sophisticated person’s Mallorca), has reopened. It’s the epitome of understated luxury, with clean lines and expanses of pale wood. Its proximity to the turquoise waters of Migjorn Beach in the Hamptons-esque area of Ca-Mari, its sexy bar terraces [...]
WINNERS & LOSERS April 25, 2010 A WEEKEND is a long time in sport, as this lot will attest. But while for some it was a few days to remember, others may wish they had never set foot out of the house. ASTON VILLA TWO big victories in the space of four days have pulled Martin O’Neill’s men right back in the [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF April 25, 2010 O’Sullivan’s in a deadlock SNOOKER: World No1 Ronnie O’Sullivan was locked at 8-8 with rival Mark Williams as their second round World Championship clash looked set to go to the wire at the Crucible. Ali Carter leads Joe Perry 10-6, while seven-time champion Stephen Hendry resumes at 4-4 with Mark Selby this morning. In the [...]
KEBEDE IS THE MARATHON KING April 25, 2010 ETHIOPIA’S Tsegaye Kebede claimed victory in the London Marathon yesterday in a time of 2:05.19 – the third-fastest in the race’s 30-year history. Liliya Shobukhova became the first Russian to win the women’s event, while Britain’s David Weir was denied a fifth victory in the wheelchair race after suffering a puncture. Over 35,000 fun runners [...]
Leeds survive but it’s over for Warriors April 25, 2010 LEEDS CARNEGIE (12) vs WORCESTER (10) LEEDS secured their Premiership status with a hard-fought victory over Worcester to end the Warriors’ six-year stay in the top-flight. Four penalties in the opening 25 minutes from Ceiron Thomas put the hosts in control but Alex Grove’s try set up a thrilling finale. But the game was up [...]
