BEST of the BROKERS July 3, 2012 BTG Merchant Securities has initiated coverage of the speciality healthcare group with a “buy” rating and a target price of 490p, seeing what it calls a tantalising growth story after three development and distribution companies were combined to produce two direct sales operations. As a result the broker is forecasting a significant increase in revenues [...]
Miners lead the FTSE 100 upwards in the hope of economic stimulus July 3, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index hit two-month highs yesterday, extending gains into a third session as investors readied for more economic stimulus after surprise action last week at an EU summit to tackle the festering Eurozone debt crisis. But traders said the rally could be short-lived and the market may face downward pressure starting next week [...]
US stocks gain in thin trading before holiday July 3, 2012 US stocks extended a rally for a third day in a shortened trading session yesterday as sharp gains in oil prices lifted energy shares and traders factored in increased expectations for central bank stimulus. A raft of weak economic data has raised hopes that the European Central Bank will cut interest rates to a record [...]
The Libor scandal may destroy the preeminence of the City of London July 3, 2012 THE 2007-8 banking crisis was a disaster for London’s international position as a banking centre. But financial services is much more than just banking. It includes areas such as insurance (in which London’s position is strong internationally, though by no means dominant) and securities and broking – in which London had every prospect of remaining [...]
The paradox at the heart of the Bank of England is now clear for all to see July 3, 2012 THERE is a contradiction at the heart of the Bank of England, which may be laid bare today. It is this: the Bank is above the markets and yet intimately involved in them. The twin spheres – Sir Mervyn King’s lofty world of monetary policy and econometrics and his deputy Paul Tucker’s world of market-makers, [...]
A leading barrister considers the case for prosecutions July 3, 2012 IN 2011, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) decided not to investigate allegations concerning Libor manipulation. At that stage, one reason was that it did not have the necessary resources to take on such an investigation. Although the FSA has conducted its own investigation, the results of which will have been passed to the SFO, the [...]
Is it right that Barclays should be taking all the flak for the Libor-fixing scandal? July 3, 2012 YES Neal Lawson Barclays is getting its comeuppance. Where people break the regulations of their industry or the law of the land then they should face the appropriate punishment. We don’t know how deep the rot is – the question is how to find out? Because while Barclays, and maybe others, did it, it was [...]
RAPID RESPONSES July 3, 2012 The firing line There is no doubt that an inquiry is called for in the Libor manipulation saga, but the fines should be targeted at the dealers and the management, not the banks. Shareholders did not have a say in the internal dirty dealings, nor did they share much of the loot. Bonuses mostly went [...]
Man Utd unveil IPO in New York to pay off debts July 3, 2012 MANCHESTER United last night filed documents for an initial public offering (IPO) of shares to be sold on the New York Stock Exchange. The size of the offering has initially been listed at $100m yet analysts expect that the figure could change significantly, with the price and quantity of shares yet to be decided. The [...]
FTSE edges up as Barclays chief quits July 3, 2012 The FTSE 100 edged up in early trading to continue two sessions of strong gains fuelled by hopes that the Eurozone could avert collapse. Significantly Barclays edged up slightly after chief executive Bob Diamond quit with immediate effect over the Libor rate-rigging scandal. Britain’s third-largest bank also accepted the resignation of chairman Marcus Agius on [...]
