Economic indicators slip in the US May 19, 2011 The index of US leading indicators, which gauges the economic outlook three to six months ahead, fell 0.3 per cent in April, from an upwardly revised 0.7 per cent gain in March. The result “indicates perhaps some moderation but not, in our view, a significant slowdown”, according to Nicholas Tenev of Barclays Capital.
Broadbent drops no clues over intentions May 17, 2011 NEW Bank of England interest rate setter Ben Broadbent left analysts none the wiser over his voting intentions yesterday, in a cautious testimony to the Treasury Select Committee. The former Goldman Sachs economist told the committee he was “not entirely sure” how he would have voted this month, refusing to signal any leaning towards a [...]
Cameron: Banks face more levies if Merlin fails May 17, 2011 BRITAIN’S banks could face a barrage of new bank levies and taxes if they fail to keep credit flowing in line with the Merlin deal struck with the Treasury, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned. Speaking before a committee of MPs, Cameron said that banks could face “further bank levies, taxes, bonus taxes and all [...]
German investors’ morale dips May 17, 2011 German stocks were hit yesterday as the Zew index pointed to another drop in investors’ confidence. The index of sentiment over the coming six months fell to 3.1, from 7.1 in April – its lowest level since November last year, although still above the long run average. The measure of current economic conditions improved, hitting [...]
The European sovereign debt bomb is ticking May 17, 2011 JEAN-CLAUDE Juncker, chairman of the Eurozone’s finance ministers, said yesterday that Greece may have to ask investors to either extend the maturities of its bonds or agree to a soft restructuring. This follows on from the Greek foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas saying that the country was open to soft debt restructuring if needed. But in [...]
HP slashes outlook as spends on service overhaul May 17, 2011 Hewlett-Packard has slashed its 2011 profit forecast as it prepares to spend heavily to revamp a troubled division that provides everything from computer maintenance to high-level tech consulting, sending its shares tumbling more than seven per cent. Chief executive Leo Apotheker, who took the helm in September, blamed the division’s “missed opportunities” under his predecessor [...]
Banks are on track to miss Merlin target May 16, 2011 THE TREASURY yesterday gave its support to the UK banks involved in the Merlin agreement, despite preliminary figures showing that the banks are on course to miss targets for lending to businesses. Figures collated for the Bank of England by accountants at PricewaterhouseCoopers suggest that since the Project Merlin deal was made between the government [...]
BELSTAFF DIRECTOR ON-BRAND IN PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN CAMEO May 16, 2011 NEVER mind the drawn-out takeover struggle by its largest shareholder Peel Holdings – the real action at Pinewood Studios has been filming the next instalment of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, out tomorrow. Cinemagoers hoping to catch Pinewood’s chairman Sir Michael Grade in a cameo in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides will [...]
THE TIPSTER May 16, 2011 THE Nikkei was sold off a little on Monday following some disappointing consumer confidence data. The country is still struggling back to normality following the terrible earthquake, but for contrarian investors, Japanese stocks could look good value. Capital CFDs quotes a price of 9,540-9,550 for the Nikkei 225. Mothercare reports its earnings on Wednesday. Its [...]
Top 40 young hedge fund stars named May 15, 2011 ROBERT Sorrell, the son of WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell, has been named as one of the brightest people aged under 40 working in the hedge fund industry. The first Financial News 40 under 40 Rising Stars of Hedge Funds rollcall applauds the talents of men and women from all corners of the hedge [...]