FTSE rises but Eurozone still weighs on some bank stocks August 15, 2011 ARALLY by commodity issues on a brighter demand picture pulled Britain’s top share index higher yesterday, though weakness in banks dented some sentiment as investors looked cautiously ahead towards a key meeting today on the Eurozone debt crisis. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will meet German chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris to discuss further steps to [...]
WHAT THE OTHER PAPERS SAY THIS MORNING August 14, 2011 FINANCIAL TIMES FEARS RAISED AS “LACK OF CAUTION” FUELS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY VALUES Commercial real estate values have been spurred by a “lack of caution” on the back of an “astonishing” rebound in lending to the sector, according to one of the largest global fund managers. LaSalle Investment e, which manages $45bn (£27bn) of real estate [...]
Short selling ban fails to halt volatility in markets August 12, 2011 European stocks failed to rally significantly this morning after a ban on short selling in four pivotal Eurozone nations failed to stem the tide of losses seen over the week. The assault on short sellers, triggered by a collapse in confidence in banks including Societe Generale, had been hastily introduced in an attempt to stop [...]
Swiss ponder a peg to euro August 11, 2011 THE EURO pared recent losses against the Swiss franc yesterday, after a senior Swiss central bank official hinted that its currency could be pegged to the euro to prevent further appreciation. Investors have ploughed into the Swiss franc this week, viewing the currency as a relative safe haven while the debt crisis takes it toll [...]
GEORGE OSBORNE’S CAREER CHANGE AS BARCLAYS COMES CALLING August 11, 2011 WHAT’S this? George Osborne is moving on from the Treasury to become a relationship director in the Finance and Brokers team at Barclays Corporate? “Osborne’s role will include managing a portfolio of mid to large-size finance and broker clients, and working with the credit team to ensure the effective risk management of these clients,” declared [...]
Volatile FTSE ends on a high August 11, 2011 AFTER another rollercoaster session, fuelled by rumours about French banks, sovereign debt, and a possible short-selling ban in Europe, Britain’s leading share index ended with triple-digit gains yesterday. “We’re just awash with rumours, dragging us from pillar to post… We’re calling propagators of such stuff the ‘Pinstriped Looters’. They come in, smash the market with [...]
FTSE hit by fresh volatility August 11, 2011 The top share index pared gains by midday, as concerns over the stability of European banks in the face of the global debt and growth crisis took the wind out of an earlier advance. Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group swung violently on worries banks will sustain further losses associated with exposure [...]
European markets bounce back August 11, 2011 European markets made a tentative recovery this morning after fears over France’s credit rating triggered losses across the globe. Rumours that agencies were planning to take away France’s Triple A rating were denied and President Sarkozy moved to reassure investors, which lifted stocks. The intervention came after the country’s banks took a battering yesterday with [...]
FTSE turns downwards on unease over France’s banks August 10, 2011 SHARPLY weaker banks dragged Britain’s top shares lower yesterday as fears about Europe’s debt came into sharp focus on rumours France may be in danger of losing its triple-A credit rating, and on concerns over the outlook for French banks. The UK benchmark index ended down 157.76 points, or 3.1 per cent, at 5,007.16, its [...]
Bank stocks hit by France debt fears August 10, 2011 Banking stocks have taken a battering today over fears that France may be the next sovereign to face a ratings cut. French president Nicolas Sarkozy has ordered new budget cuts to reduce France’s public spending deficit, a response to market concerns over its indebtedness. Shares in French banks, which are among the most exposed to [...]