Strong results nudge FTSE up in spite of US debt stalemate July 26, 2011 BRITAIN’S top shares managed modest gains yesterday as solid results from blue-chips including drugmaking group GlaxoSmithKline and energy firm BG Group more than offset an earnings miss from heavyweight BP. Volume on the FTSE 100 was thin, however, as investors waited for clarity from US debt ceiling talks. The UK benchmark index ended up 4.47 [...]
Political fears drag down Wall Street July 26, 2011 The stalemate in US debt talks dragged down stocks for a second day yesterday, and light volume showed investors remained reluctant to make bets despite another round of healthy earnings. Declining issues solidly outpaced advancing ones, even though major averages showed mostly modest declines. A failure to raise the US debt limit by an 2 [...]
Political squabbles bring damage to US dollar strength July 26, 2011 IN the US, the bickering over the raising of the debt ceiling is becoming ever more nasty. Democrats and Republicans are in a deadlock over increasing the $14.3 trillion cap on government borrowing. The dispute has got into a predictable rut: Republicans accuse Barack Obama of profligacy, Obama accuses the GOP of pettiness and then [...]
THE AUSSIE IS NEW SAFETY TRADE TREND July 26, 2011 THE newest trend is the emergence of the commodity dollars as a safe haven trade. With US debt ceiling issues still unresolved as the clock ticks away on the 2 August deadline, the dollar continues to weaken against the standard risk aversion currencies such as the Swissie and the yen. As a matter of fact, [...]
THE TIPSTER July 26, 2011 ON WEDNESDAY, New Zealand’s central bank is expected to clarify its stance and could mention New Zealand dollar strength as a factor under consideration. Talk of intervention remains premature, but is definitely a possibility. Global growth concerns and a dovish central bank should cap extensive gains for the time being, but even a small factor [...]
FOREX ANALYST PICKS July 26, 2011 FOREX STRATEGIST JOHN KICKLIGHTER My pick: Short Aussie-dollar; short euro-dollar; long Aussie-Kiwi Expertise: Fundamental analysis with risk management Average time frame of trades: 1 day to 1 week We are in a week where chop, volatility and fundamental uncertainty will dominate. Given the combined influence of the US deficit impasse and EU sovereign troubles, it [...]
With one year to go, businesses are galloping to get behind London 2012 July 26, 2011 IT’S got to be one of the most breath-taking sights of this summer. You know, the pictures of athletic horses jumping fences at Greenwich Park against a backdrop of the skyscraper-dominated Canary Wharf. It’s a stunning juxtaposition that also captures a critical aspect of the London Games. To see the capital’s thriving financial district providing [...]
Athletes step it up on the road to 2012 July 26, 2011 Jenny Meadows, Britain’s leading hope in the 800m, tells Frank Dalleres about nerves, pressure and giving up chocolate for her last Olympics Q. HOW DOES IT FEEL THAT THERE ARE JUST 12 MONTHS TO GO? A. It sparks off a lot of emotions and adrenaline. I’ve got a split personality: if I’ve just done a [...]
How to pass the torch to your hero July 26, 2011 EVER since the theft of fire from Zeus by Prometheus (well, that’s what the legend says), a torch has been kept alight throughout the Olympics. And in the run up to the coming Olympics, beginning on 19 May 2012, it will be carried across the country in relay by those nominated as community heroes. The [...]
Art will be flexing its muscles too July 26, 2011 NOT got a ticket to the Olympic Games? Not even interested in sport? Don’t rule yourself out of the Olympic festivities just yet. There will be a prestigious British cultual show too. A lot of effort has been spent on the Cultural Olympiad and it’s going to be available for all to enjoy. Here are [...]
