The outlook for China and its dependants April 3, 2012 BRENDA KELLY CMC MARKETS There are a lot of unknowns and contradictions when it comes to China. The state of its banking sector will be the decisive factor in whether a hard or soft landing is accomplished. While the institutions themselves are reporting high profits and a large deposit base; the levels of debt, the [...]
Alfa’s TCT transmission impresses April 3, 2012 IN these cash-strapped times, it’s lamentable that the choice of which car to buy can come to a simple toss-up between fuel economy versus fun. It’s a question that many car buyers struggle with. More powerful engines usually use more fuel, which is one reason why squeezing every last drop of fuel economy out of [...]
BHP in force majeure at mines April 2, 2012 The world’s biggest miner, BHP Billiton, is declaring force majeure – which allows it to opt out of a contract – at its coal mines in Australia’s Bowen Basin due to prolonged union strikes and heavy rain. About 4,000 workers went on strike last Tuesday and may remain out indefinitely, depending on union talks.
THE TIPSTER EasyJet will be hoping for lift off April 2, 2012 Budget airline EasyJet has had its ups and downs recently, having to contend with rising fuel prices and now the increase in APD. Yet the share price has outperformed most so far this year. With a trading statement this Thursday bulls might be in for lift off. Capital Spreads quotes 483.7p-485.4p. BHP Billiton’s stock price [...]
FTSE buoyed by miners March 30, 2012 The FTSE 100 rebounded in early trading as mining stocks continued to edge up. In London copper prices climbed and are on track for a more than 10 per cent first-quarter gain. However more sluggish demand from China is still casting a shadow. Among miners Kazakhmys and Antofagasta were the star performers, up two per [...]
FTSE dented by miners March 28, 2012 The FTSE 100 was pegged back by miners in early trading as the index lost some of the momentum built up over recent weeks. Nagging doubts over the rate of growth that can be sustained in China continued to cast a shadow over the sector and the price of copper fell. Steelmaker Evraz warned over [...]
Rio Tinto decides that diamond mines are not forever March 27, 2012 DEMAND for diamonds is booming. Tiffany, the luxury jeweller that is famous for using the precious stones in its pieces, earlier this month said its worldwide sales jumped 15 per cent in 2011 and warned that supplies were struggling to keep up. Gem Diamonds, which counts Tiffany as one of its biggest clients, reported a [...]
Rio Tinto says diamonds aren’t forever as it puts arm on sale March 27, 2012 RIO Tinto, the world’s third-largest miner, effectively invited bids for its diamonds business yesterday, joining rival BHP Billiton in backing away from a business that has lost its sparkle. The company, which runs three mines in Australia, Canada and Africa, said it was reviewing its diamond business and would consider selling it, as it focuses [...]
Banks buoyed by Abu Dhabi move for RBS stake March 27, 2012 Banks fuelled FTSE 100 gains this morning after the sector was lifted by reports that Abu Dhabi was considering making a bid for RBS assets. Talks between Abu Dhabi and the British government over a stake in state-owned Royal Bank of Scotland are at the level of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, a source close [...]
Rio Tinto to sell diamond business March 27, 2012 Rio Tinto, the world’s third-largest miner, effectively invited bids on Tuesday for its diamonds business, on its books at $1.2 billion (752 million pounds) , and joined rival BHP Billiton (BHP.AX) in backing away from a business that has lost its sparkle. The FTSE 100 company, which runs three mines in Australia, Canada and Africa, [...]