OUT OF OFFICE December 15, 2009 THE HABIT OF ART Alan Bennett’s new play for the National Theatre may not have the universal appeal of The History Boys, but it’s a hilarious, searingly clever piece nevertheless. Richard Griffiths is on terrifically droll form as actor Fitz, playing the poet WH Auden meeting in old age with the composer Benjamin Britten in the [...]
Up the hatch December 15, 2009 WE’VE tested some super-hot hatches on these pages, most recently Honda’s Civic Type R Mugen and earlier in the year Ford’s Focus RS, both of which are stunning performers. Here we have another. The preceding version of this car, the Renault Clio 197 Cup, had brilliant agility and grip and was a riot of fun, [...]
The financial crisis has emboldened London’s rivals, but the City can survive December 15, 2009 ONE of the effects of the financial downturn has been to highlight to what extent the modern economy is globalised. This has happened in two ways. Firstly, the crisis proved just how interconnected economies are. As if by magic, dodgy mortgages in Arkansas can now cause job-losses in Manila, and deals made in Scottish boardrooms [...]
BARROW-BOY BROKERS CONSIDER THEIR CHANCES IN SLEEPY ZURICH December 15, 2009 EVER since inter-dealer broker Tullett Prebon revealed on Monday it would allow its staff to relocate to more favourable tax regimes if they wish to avoid the government’s crackdown, the City has been a hotbed of gossip about whether or not the move will indeed spark a much-feared exodus of talent from our shores. Inside [...]
Crude oil to spike higher over the next 12 months December 14, 2009 UNTIL the start of this month crude oil had been trading in a tight range between $75 and $80. But those commodity analysts who argued that the price of a barrel of oil did not justify its supply and demand fundamentals will be feeling rather smug right now. Since the start of December, crude oil [...]
THE TIPSTER December 14, 2009 NEWS that British Airways’ cabin crew has voted in favour of strike action, combined with the state of the airline’s pension scheme has put further downward pressure on the airline’s share price. On a technical level, shares are currently blocked from any further progress by a resistance line in place on the daily chart since [...]
Despite Dubai’s rescue, traders’ concerns over debt persist December 14, 2009 THE news yesterday that Abu Dhabi had bailed out Dubai to the tune of $10bn gave indices across the world an extra boost. Adding to the good news in the market was Citigroup’s proposal to pay back the US government the money it owes, including an issue of $17bn of stock immediately. No doubt Citigroup [...]
RISING YIELDS TO UPSET THE RECOVERY December 14, 2009 DAVID MORRISON CFD MARKET STRATEGIST, GFT JUST over a week ago we had a non-farm payroll number which blew away all analysts’ expectations. The reaction in the financial markets was sharp, with the dollar, bond yields and equities all shooting higher. While this was a rational response to good numbers, it wasn’t the reaction we [...]
Exxon deal boosts hopes for M&A December 14, 2009 US stocks closed at 14-month highs yesterday as Abu Dhabi’s $10bn (£6bn) in aid to help Dubai avoid default eased concerns and a takeover deal by Exxon Mobil Corp raised optimism about mergers and acquisitions activity. Citigroup plan to repay the U.S. government about $20bn in bailout funds also helped buttress the buoyant mood a [...]
London rises to highest close in 3 weeks on Dubai bailout December 14, 2009 BRITAIN’S top share index closed at its highest level in a week yesterday, led by banks, after Abu Dhabi bailed out Dubai with $10bn in surprise aid, with commodities stocks also notching up solid gains. The FTSE 100 closed up 53.77 points at 5,315.34, its highest close since 4 December, adding to a rise the [...]
