FTSE 100 index closes higher as bank shares rise and Janet Yellen’s remarks calm markets despite the continued fall of miners February 10, 2016 The FTSE 100 index closed higher today as banks recouped some of the losses they made yesterday and US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen calmed markets. The index closed 0.71 per cent higher at 5,672.3 points. "Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s testimony was always going to be aimed at provoking the least reaction possible in her testimony to the House Financial [...]
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen flags risk to growth from financial market turmoil February 10, 2016 US interest rates could stay on hold for longer if the current financial market volatility persists. Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen warned that continuing swings in financial markets could partially derail the economy's growth, and said financial conditions had already become "less supportive". However she dismissed the idea that the Federal Reserve may need to [...]
No pressure, Janet: Spotlight falls on the Fed as US central bank chief Yellen faces questions from Congress February 10, 2016 The financial world’s attention will fall on Janet Yellen today as the Federal Reserve chief faces a grilling by Congress, in the middle of a week of chaos on global trading floors. Shares throughout the world tumbled for a third straight session yesterday, while European banks lost another four per cent of their value. Financial [...]
The London commute is now busier than ever: Train ticket fares rise to £9.4bn and journeys hit 1.7bn in 2015 February 9, 2016 If you feel like your commute has got a lot more crowded, you're not mistaken. Passengers spent more than ever on rail fares last year, even as a string of troubles across the UK's rail networks left commuters fed up with services. Spending on tickets increased more than six per cent to £9.4bn while the number of journeys taken throughout 2015 hit a record [...]
Icap shares fall after third-quarter revenue slumps due to challenging market conditions February 9, 2016 Interdealer broker Icap saw its share price dip this morning after revealing a five per cent slump in third-quarter revenue. The company, which is plowing ahead with the sale of its voice broking business to rival Tullet Prebon, blamed “challenging” market conditions and said “risk appetite remains subdued amongst our clients as they continue to [...]
Gold price breaks $1200 as markets fall and investors fret over the health of the global economy February 8, 2016 Stock market woes and fears over an ailing global economy have given a boost the price of gold, pushing it over the $1,200 line for the first time since June 2015. The yellow metal added to gains made over the last week, it’s best in over two years. The so-called safe haven is often used by investors as a [...]
US markets follow Europe downwards as fears mount over global growth February 8, 2016 The US markets have opened lower today, following massive sell offs in Europe that’s seen the German Dax fall over three per cent to under 9,000, and the Greek stock market hit 25 year lows, down 6.7 per cent today, adding to its fifth consecutive day of losses. The Dow Jones Industrial average opened down [...]
Markets around Europe are tumbling on disappointing Chinese currency reserves February 8, 2016 Markets around Europe have plummeted following what started out looking like a good day. The FTSE 100 is down by nearly two per cent and at pixel time is at 5,744.05. It opened up this morning but has been unable to hold onto early gains. The blue chip index is now just 100 points off from becoming [...]
US non-farm payroll growth falls way below expectations – but wage growth strengthens February 5, 2016 The US added 151,000 jobs in January, figures showed today, falling way short of expectations of 190,000. There was some good news: wage growth was higher than expected, rising 2.5 per cent, against forecasts of 2.2 per cent. And unemployment fell to 4.9 per cent – an eight-year low. It's the first time non-farm payroll figures [...]
Anglo American, Rio Tinto and Antofagasta see share prices rise: Miners soar to the top of the FTSE February 4, 2016 Brighter metal prices and a tumbling US dollar helped turn the fortunes of London-listed miners around today, as analysts speculated that the worst could be over for the embattled sector. Mining stocks were reinvigorated as fading expectations of an interest rate rise by the US Federal Reserve sent the greenback tumbling. This helped gold hit a [...]