IPOs might be back – but for how much longer? June 7, 2016 Investors are on a treasure hunt for returns but there have been all too few big finds on stock markets lately and the jury is still out on whether a rally will present itself this summer. So why are managers so seemingly unwilling to tap into all the new issues hitting the markets? And where [...]
Fed’s Yellen concerned by recent shock jobs report but remains “cautiously optimistic” June 6, 2016 The recent jobs report that showed a slow down in the number of jobs the US economy is adding has been called "concerning" by the Fed chair Janet Yellen. Her remarks will reinforce market expectations that the US interest rate will be held steady. Bloomberg average estimates of an interest rate hike in June fell to two [...]
At the close: FTSE 100 bulldozes over Brexit concerns as oil and metal prices climb June 6, 2016 The FTSE 100 managed to kick off the week with a rise today, finishing up one per cent at 6,273.40 points. A jump in commodity prices managed to offset fears of Brexit that dragged down house builders. A flurry of recent polls have put the leave campaign neck-and-neck with remain as the 23 June vote draws nearer. The news [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 6, 2016 Markets are hoping for clarity from Fed chair Janet Yellen later and a British exit from the European Union is looking more likely as a poll gap narrows. Here's what you need to know before the US market opens at 14:30 London time. US stocks are pointing up in the pre-market. The S&P is up by 0.13 per cent, the [...]
Oil, copper, gold, zinc: Commodities rally as dollar softens after US jobs shocker June 6, 2016 The dollar's pain was commodities' gain this morning, as the weaker greenback reinvigorated the typically ailing asset class. It helped oil push through the $50 mark, while copper, gold and zinc hit multi-week highs. Most metals had a torrid time last month due to the stronger greenback. But it traded near three-week lows today, making dollar-traded commodities cheaper [...]
Bitcoin just hit its highest against the dollar in nearly two years June 3, 2016 Whoosh. That's the sound of bitcoin whistling past, as it jumped to its highest level against the dollar in nearly two years. The cryptocurrency leaped to $556.19 in mid-afternoon trading, its highest since August 2014. That followed US data which showed job openings rose by just 38,000 in May, way below the 160,000 expected. Analysts dubbed the figures "crazy": [...]
Stream of new evidence, including further details from Anthony Gutman of Goldman Sachs, creating yet more confusion about BHS £1 sale June 3, 2016 The stream of evidence being drip fed to MPs about the £1 sale of BHS is creating further confusion and questions, the chair of the work and pensions committee said today. Commenting on further details his committee had recently received, Frank Field remarked that what he was now learning was causing him to question some of [...]
Dollar plummets as US reports weakest jobs growth in six years, pushing back expectations of a US rate rise June 3, 2016 "Crazy". "Absolute shocker". "Unbelievable". It's safe to say US jobs growth just blew analysts' minds. Official data published today showed US employers added just 38,000 jobs last month – the lowest figure in six years, and way below the 160,000 expected. Meanwhile, earnings growth remained weak, rising just 0.2 per cent on last month, down from 0.4 [...]
Before the bell: What you need to know before the US market open June 1, 2016 The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned that Brexit would play havoc with the global economy and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the country will get fresh new stimulus in the Autumn. Here's what you need to know before the market open at 14:30 London time. US indices are pointing the wrong way in the pre-market. [...]
Yellen helps gold and copper prices clock biggest loss in six months May 31, 2016 Gold and copper prices melted in May — with the stronger dollar putting them on course for their biggest drop in six months. Spot gold swelled 0.7 per cent to to $1,213 per ounce, but the yellow metal has still fallen around six per cent so far in May, also its biggest monthly decline in six. [...]