Bank rally helps steady FTSE May 21, 2012 The FTSE 100 was solid this morning despite the storm clouds – created by the Eurozone crisis – still hanging over markets. Over the weekend G8 leaders stressed their “imperative” was to promote growth and jobs and gave verbal backing for Greece to stay in the euro. But despite calls from the United States for [...]
FTSE drained by Spain and greece woes May 18, 2012 THE FTSE 100 tracked losses across Europe this morning as fast moving events in Greece and Spain drained investor confidence. Moody’s downgraded Spanish banks overnight and Fitch cut its debt rating for Greece as the Eurozone crisis deepened. Spain has lurched into recession and its borrowing costs jumped at an auction yesterday while its banks [...]
BHP warns of cooling market in commodities May 16, 2012 BHP BILLITON said yesterday it expects commodity markets to cool further and that investors have lost confidence in the longer-term health of the global economy, in the most cautious comments yet from the world’s biggest miner. BHP also put the brakes on a plan announced by chief executive Marius Kloppers in 2011 to spend $80bn [...]
Stocks sink to lowest level of 2012 after liquidity scare weighs on FTSE May 16, 2012 BRITAIN’s benchmark FTSE 100 index fell to its lowest closing level in more than four months yesterday, as new fears about the Greek banking system killed off a brief afternoon rally on the market. The FTSE 100 fell by 32.37 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 5,405.25 points – above a 5,400 point resistance level [...]
FTSE falls as fear stalks markets May 16, 2012 Commodity stocks took a hammering this morning as investors ran for cover with the prospect of fresh Greek elections adding to the uncertainty stalking markets. The prospect of Greece exiting the Eurozone were mounting as the country struggles to avoid economic meltdown. But in positive UK news official figures showed a drop in the unemployment [...]
FTSE dented by flailing Eurozone May 14, 2012 The FTSE 100 dipped in early trading as a breakdown of coalition talks in Greece sapped investor confidence along with more general fears over global growth. Talks to form a new government in Greece looked to have failed as left wing groups refused to join pro-bailout parties. EU ministers are meeting in Brussels later today [...]
CAR TALK May 8, 2012 Go “live” to win races If you’ve always dreamed of being a racing driver but your race-winning has remained stubbornly virtual, the fourth Nissan PlayStation GT Academy 2012 contest is now “live”. Entrants have eight weeks to complete eight PS3 Gran Turismo virtual driving contests. Shortlisted drivers ultimately get to undertake real-world driver training at [...]
Bumi arm makes Samin Tan its president as his power grows May 3, 2012 CHAIRMAN of mining company Bumi, Samin Tan, was yesterday named as president director of Bumi Resource Minerals (BRM). BRM is a company listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange and the appointment was made at an extraordinary general meeting. Tan replaces Ken Farrell in the role, the company said in a market statement. Farrell, an Australian, [...]
Driving this Jeep is a hard wrangle May 1, 2012 Wow, this is cool Daddy, what is it?” says my daughter as she clambers into the back of the 70th Anniversary edition Jeep Wrangler. I appear to have acquired instant street cred. Amongst the under threes, in any case. That I am driving this car at all for this column is questionable. There is almost [...]
CAR TALK May 1, 2012 Audi Q5 SUV with Google and online radio Details on the latest Audi Q5 SUV have been released. The popular 4×4 has undergone styling tweaks and chassis improvements and has a new electro-mechanical power steering system. Engine efficiency is up by 15 per cent. You can now also choose Audi’s in-car internet service which includes [...]