Hand-painted, wall-to-wall art for the home March 13, 2014 Meet the designer bringing back affordable, quality wallpaper MOVING house is said to be one of the most stressful things you can go through. But one busy professional turned her decorating frustrations into an idea for a business start-up that brings ancient Chinese art into London homes. Over a year ago, Nina Tryon, formerly head [...]
What you need to know before the US open March 13, 2014 US stock futures are pointing to a slightly better open for markets today, and no doubt the slew of data just out – all of which is better-than-expected – means investors have plenty to digest. Bonds have slipped after the encouraging data, with the dollar gaining ground against the euro, too. Initial jobless claims fell [...]
What you need to know before the open March 13, 2014 Data from China will keep markets on their toes this morning, as ongoing concerns about the health of the world’s second-largest economy continue to weigh down sentiment. Despite weaker numbers, though, European bourses look set to open slightly higher, after yesterday’s strong declines. Chinese industrial production in February came in at 8.6 per cent from [...]
Asian markets rise as investors await Chinese data March 13, 2014 Asian markets are making moderate gains after a tepid day on Wall Street and positive regional data helped to calm investors fears after Wednesday's two week low. Markets responded positively to Hong Kong premier Li Keqiang's pledge to head off systemic risks in the financial system. However, investors are remaining cautious ahead of Chinese factory [...]
The 236 skyscrapers coming to London March 12, 2014 London’s skyline is set to change dramatically over the next decade. According to a report out today, over 236 towers over 20 storeys are being proposed, approved or under construction – more than double the number of high-rise buildings estimated to be in capital today. Traditionally a low-rise city, London’s skyscrapers have, until now, been [...]
The 236 skyscrapers coming to London March 12, 2014 London’s skyline is set to change dramatically over the next decade. According to a report out today, over 236 towers over 20 storeys are being proposed, approved or under construction – more than double the number of high-rise buildings estimated to be in capital today. Traditionally a low-rise city, London’s skyscrapers have, until now, been [...]
Asian markets slide as China fears hit commodities March 12, 2014 Asian markets are taking a beating this morning amid concerns of a weakening Chinese economy and tensions in Ukraine, ahead of Crimea's referendum on Sunday. Copper is suffering a significant fall while gold is making gains. Weak Asian markets reflect Wall Street's uncertainty over the strength of the US economy. However, many investors are remaining [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 12 March 2014 March 11, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Brent crude contract underpinning Slowing output from the North Sea may require IntercontinentalExchange to add oil grades from beyond the offshore European fields to underpin its flagship Brent crude contract. The comments from David Peniket, president of the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, echo growing industry concern that the global crude oil benchmark [...]
London Report: FTSE nudges down to near month-long low after banks fall March 11, 2014 THE UK’S top equity index steadied yesterday after hitting a three-week low, with some investors seeing value in beaten-down stocks, although the market remained vulnerable to further declines in the near term. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index closed 0.06 per cent lower at 6,685.52 points after falling to 6,660.59, its lowest since the middle of [...]
Asian markets rise after Bank of Japan maintains monetary easing March 11, 2014 Asian markets are rising this morning after the Bank of Japan's (BoJ) decision to maintain its policy of monetary stimulus. However, the BoJ downgraded its forecast for Japanese exports. With the effect of a weak yen on consumer prices fading the BoJ's two per cent inflation target may become more difficult to achieve by the [...]