What you need to know before the US open April 28, 2014 US stocks futures have been buoyed by the slew of M&A activity we’ve seen today, suggesting markets will following European counterparts at the open. European stocks are still being lifted by announced deals, with AstraZeneca still the biggest mover on the FTSE, keeping the index near seven-week highs. Meanwhile, President Obama’s announced further sanctions against [...]
What you need to know before the open April 28, 2014 European markets are expected lower this morning, hit by further sanctions being set out by G7 nations against Russia. Officials have accused Russia of deliberately exacerbating the current situation in Ukraine. Further travel restrictions and asset freezes on a further 15 individuals are expected to be imposed by the EU today. The lift markets got [...]
The hidden costs of low interest rates are hurting the economy April 24, 2014 WE ALL know the dangers of high interest rates: borrowers end up having to fork out more, some people and companies with high amounts of debt will go bust, and the reduced disposable incomes and profits hit economic growth. But a policy of permanently low interest rates comes with its own distortions and risks. UK [...]
US Corporate results round up April 24, 2014 Massive car recall hurts General Motors profit General Motors said yesterday that first-quarter profit tumbled 88 per cent after a massive recall due to defective ignition switches, but results still topped expectations on strong pricing for its redesigned pickup trucks in North America and improvement overseas. The company said its core operating outlook remained on [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 22, 2014 Futures have stayed flat in the US, despite the pharma-driven gains seen this side of the pond and Netflix jumping on its earnings report. The Ukraine crisis continues to trim investor risk sentiment, and the euro’s dipped to a two-week low against the dollar, ahead of manufacturing data from France and Germany later this week. [...]
What you need to know before the open April 22, 2014 A higher open for European markets is expected this morning, following the S&P 500 posting its best winning streak so far this year. With markets over here closed yesterday, it finished higher for the fifth day in a row. Investor focus will likely be on the latest earnings reports from companies both sides of the [...]
What you need to know before the open April 17, 2014 European markets are expected to open flat this morning as poorer than expected results from both Google and IBM offset the well-received dovish comments of Federal Reserve chair Jane Yellen. Google shares dipped as much as five per cent in after hours trading last night, after it reported revenues for the first quarter of the [...]
Asian markets rise as Yellen reaffirms commitment to low rates April 17, 2014 Asian markets have seen minor gains after the US posted better than expected industrial production figures, and the chair of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen reaffirmed the Fed's commitment to supporting the recovery. Investors were reassured by Yellen's remarks to the Economic Club of New York that the US would "likely require low real interest [...]
Fed regions see growth after weather shock April 17, 2014 YESTERDAY’S Federal Reserve analysis noted an improvement in business conditions since the end of severe weather earlier this year. According to the Fed’s beige book, most regions reported that the economic climate improved between February and early April. Fed chair Janet Yellen reinforced the message that policy would remain loose in a speech yesterday, saying [...]
New York Report: Yellen’s pledge to keep rates low lifts Wall St April 16, 2014 US stocks rose one per cent yesterday, advancing for a third straight session as Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to keeping interest rates low and Yahoo rallied. Data showing Chinese economic growth exceeded expectations and US industrial production rose for a second straight month also improved sentiment, though Bank of [...]