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 [...]
THE TIPSTER Aussie dollar takes a hit April 3, 2012 The Aussie dollar has struggled to make headway against the dollar recently. The currency has been hurt by concerns of a slowdown in the Chinese economy, although the latest Chinese manufacturing data gave the Australian dollar a lift on Monday. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept its cash rate unchanged at 4.25 per cent yesterday, [...]
Auhua starts trading on Aim April 2, 2012 Auhua Clean Energy, a Chinese energy firm specialising in environmentally–friendly power, has debuted on the Alternative Investment Market with shares closing at 44.5p, up from a launch price of 40p. Auhua manufacturers solar powered water heating systems and will use the proceeds of the IPO to fund expansion.
US DATA KEY TO CONTEST AMONG BULLS AND BEARS April 2, 2012 FX 360 ONE of the more astounding aspects about the recent price action in the currency market is the absolute lack of direction in euro-dollar. Over the past week the pair has traded in a miniscule 150 point range – its narrowest swing in more than four years. With the Greek saga now behind us [...]
The law firm boss who’s not moving anywhere but up April 1, 2012 LAST weekend, Bryan Hughes found himself hanging 50ft above the ground, attached to nothing but a rope. In an effort to face his son’s fear of heights he’d taken him on the high wires at Center Parcs, but when they reached the highest point Hughes found himself feeling a growing sense of panic. “I made [...]
Don’t panic: Parking your cash will buy you some extra time March 28, 2012 Driving your Isa allowance into an Isa park can be very useful – but don’t forget to move it AS THE Eurozone crisis rumbles on and Chinese growth starts to slow, many people are understandably concerned about the state of UK and world stock markets. When equity markets are volatile, bonds tend to be where [...]
Tim Cook visits China to discuss Apple growth March 27, 2012 APPLE chief executive Tim Cook has met with government officials in Beijing after a turbulent few months for the iPad maker’s Chinese operations. The Cupertino-based company declined to elaborate on details of the visit, which is Cook’s first trip to China since becoming chief executive, but hinted it was looking at expansion in the country. [...]
Qantas to set up budget airline March 26, 2012 China Eastern Airlines has joined with Australia’s Qantas to set up a regional low-cost carrier, marking the first move by a big Chinese airline into the growing but overcrowded no-frills sector. China’s third-largest airline by market value and Australia’s top carrier will invest up to $198m over three years in the equal joint venture, which [...]
Birds Eye is on block for €3bn March 25, 2012 THE company that owns fish finger maker Birds Eye is being put on the block for a possible €2.9bn (£2.42bn) by Permira, its private equity firm owner. It is understood that Permira has received a number of approaches for Iglo and has appointed Credit Suisse to handle the process. Private equity firms such as Blackstone [...]
Cebu & Boracay paradise with flair March 25, 2012 HAVING recently visited nearby Malaysia, I thought I had a fair idea of what to expect from the Philippines. A bustling Asian melting pot where a hotchpotch of cultures, religions and cuisines collide in the middle of the Indian ocean, right? But stepping off the plane at our first stop – Mactan Island in Cebu [...]