The Facebook debacle deserves a reaction from London May 28, 2012 THE controversies surrounding the historic $104bn flotation of Facebook in the US should have reminded all of us that although the New York financial markets may currently be the place to go for technology flotations, they are not infallible. What is disappointing is that with so much wrangling about how the float was handled, very [...]
Strong US economy needs no more QE, says Fed’s chief dove May 24, 2012 THE US does not need more quantitative easing (QE), a top Federal Reserve policymaker said yesterday, reversing his previously dovish stance. New York Fed boss Bill Dudley said the economy is steadily improving and using up slack, limiting the need for further support. “I think it’s hard to argue that we absolutely must do something [...]
The gold standard gives priceless insights into how to save the euro May 24, 2012 THERE is almost no economic problem for which there is not at least one precedent. Examining precedents can help guide policy makers and their advisers – if they are willing to look. But policy makers trying to deal with the euro crisis have not taken advantage of this opportunity. Many currency unions have been formed [...]
Essex boy who became designer to a generation May 23, 2012 ASK most Britons to name a famous designer, and they will probably offer Sir James Dyson or Terence Conran. Although both are distinguished, neither can lay claim to something as generation-defining as the iPhone. It was designed by Essex boy Jonathan Ive, who was yesterday knighted for services to design. It’s strange, then, that Ive [...]
After the FTSE 100 fell to 5,266 yesterday, where will it close at the end of the year? May 23, 2012 LOWER Glen Jones The UK has entered into a double-dip recession. However, the FTSE 100 isn’t just a reflection of the UK market, it’s a proxy for the entire global economy, as a large proportion of its revenue streams come from overseas. The bullish recovery from the lows of last summer has been curtailed quickly [...]
US home sales on the rise as Fed official says QE3 is not required May 22, 2012 HIGH levels of American home sales were recorded in April, boosting hopes for the US recovery, as a leading member of the Federal Reserve said that conditions are not ripe for more quantitative easing. Sales of already-owned homes shot up by 3.4 per cent to an annual rate of 4.62m units last month, the highest [...]
FTSE up after week-long dip May 21, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index halted a week-long slide yesterday, as investors stumped up the courage to buy in on the dips of badly beaten equities, although the murky outlook for global growth kept gains to a minimum. London’s blue chip index closed 36.86 points higher, or up 0.7 per cent at 5,304.48, having fallen 5.5 [...]
BEARS GAINING GROUND AS GREECE PUSHES FTSE SLIDE May 21, 2012 CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST THE impending arrival of Facebook into global markets did little to shore up optimism last week, as markets tracked relentlessly lower for the entire week. As with the preceding week, Greece remained the centre of attention, dragging Spain and Italy into its mire. Better German GDP figures provided only the briefest relief [...]
How to invest in a beautiful smile May 21, 2012 Smile, and the world smiles with you. It sounds simple enough, but missing, wonky or stained teeth can leave you wanting to keep your gnashers firmly to yourself. Fed up with feeling self-conscious about your smile? Thought about getting dental treatment, but wrote it off as too much hassle? You might be surprised to learn [...]
Bank rally helps steady FTSE May 21, 2012 The FTSE 100 was solid this morning despite the storm clouds – created by the Eurozone crisis – still hanging over markets. Over the weekend G8 leaders stressed their “imperative” was to promote growth and jobs and gave verbal backing for Greece to stay in the euro. But despite calls from the United States for [...]