Use options spread bets to capitalise on volatile markets February 28, 2010 JUST as we thought everything had calmed down and the recovery was back on track, the markets have spent the first two months of 2010 being buffeted by events in the Eurozone, weather disruption and political uncertainty. Such volatility is unlikely to abate – there are elections on the horizon in both the UK and [...]
Profits can be made from jobs data February 28, 2010 AT 1.30pm on the first Friday of every month a quiet hush descends of the City, as financiers, traders and analysts await US non farm payrolls data (NFP). This single piece of data, which measures the number of jobs created by the economy each month, is regarded as the most important economic indicator in the [...]
CITY INDEX February 28, 2010 Q.Dear Josh, small cap shares can be very volatile. If I want to trade small caps, is it better to do so within a wider portfolio? A.First, it is good that you mentioned trading small cap shares as part of a wider portfolio. Having a portfolio can be an important part of maintaining a longer [...]
THE TIPSTER February 28, 2010 Oil continues to struggle around the $80 mark, after weak economic data in the UK. If western economies stall then demand for crude oil will fall, which will lead to lower prices. Another factor that could weigh on the oil price is weak employment figures in the US. As we approach the summer driving season, [...]
Traders look to Bank for rates guidance February 28, 2010 It is going to be an exciting week in the financial markets with the Bank of England and the European Central Bank scheduled to make monetary policy announcements. Rate decisions are always a big deal for stocks, bonds and currencies but now more than ever the outlook for these instruments will hinge upon the outlook [...]
Economic Diary February 28, 2010 DATA on Friday showing Britain grew by 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter dampened speculation that the Bank of England would change policy on Thursday. Purchasing managers’ indices (PMIs) out this week for the UK should also confirm the continued rebound in the UK economy in spite of the disruption caused by the cold [...]
Luxury comes to Abu Dhabi’s glorious desert February 28, 2010 THE Liwa Desert is in the area known as the Empty Quarter, and is the largest uninterrupted stretch of desert in the world. This vast area, which extends into the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, was made famous through the adventures of the late British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger who wrote about [...]
TRAVEL NOTES – UK EASTER BREAKS February 28, 2010 Cameron House, Loch Lomond Children can stay for free over Easter at Cameron House, one of the most splendid hotels in the British Isles. It occupies a grand 18th century country pile on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, and you can go sailing and fishing on the loch, take a sea plane trip, [...]
Traders turning to stars for answers February 28, 2010 I’M sitting in an opulent suite at the Four Seasons Hampshire with about 20 other people, sipping tea and nibbling cakes. We’re here in deepest darkest Dogmersfield, a former hunting park of Henry VIII, to find out what the future holds – and what the chaotic present means – from one of the world’s most [...]
My colleagues are canoodling in the boardroom February 28, 2010 DEAR VEXED: A couple of colleagues have recently got into a relationship and they are being really indiscreet about it – I actually stumbled in on them snogging in the boardroom the other day when I went in to get something. It’s making everyone uncomfortable. Is there anything I can do or is this one [...]
