US JOBS DATA STRENGTHENS HAWKS’ CASE December 7, 2009 DAVID MORRISONCFD MARKET STRATEGIST, GFT FRIDAY’S non-farm payroll report was, on the face of it, a really positive piece of news to take us up to the end of the year. Although 11,000 jobs were lost in November, this was the lowest number of losses for two years. On top of that, there were hefty [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS December 6, 2009 WM MORRISONGalvan Research says that plenty of time has now elapsed at Wm Morrison to allow the shares to absorb any doubts over a possible like-for-like sales slowdown, and the surprise departure of Marc Bolland. It says the stock is holding up well within striking distance of year highs, and there is every likelihood the [...]
THE TIPSTER TESCO COMES UNDER SELLING PRESSURE December 6, 2009 THERE’S no doubting supermarket Tesco’s market dominance nor its ability to make billions of pounds worth of profit. But its share prices has come in for a little profit taking ahead of its third quarter sales, which are due tomorrow. From a technical point of a view, the chart suggests that a head and shoulders [...]
NIKKEI INDEX STRUGGLING TO ADVANCE November 30, 2009 DAVID MORRISONCFD MARKET STRATEGIST, GFT WHILE US stock indices look relatively buoyant, there are a number of major global markets that are currently struggling to make further headway. In Europe, the French CAC 40, Spanish Ibex and German Dax are trading in tight ranges and failing to break above resistance at significant retracement levels. Meanwhile, [...]
Concern over Dubai’s debts takes toll on Britain’s shares November 26, 2009 Britain’s top shares ended at a three-week closing low yesterday, pressured by hefty falls in the banking sector as concerns over Dubai’s ability to pay its debts took a toll on confidence. The FTSE 100 ended down 3.2 per cent, or 170.68 points, at 5,194.13, its lowest close since November 6, and losses on the [...]
SMALL CAPS SHOW MAIN STREET WOES DAVID MORRISON November 23, 2009 WHILE many stock indices in the US and Europe hit fresh yearly highs last week, a flick through the charts points to a loss of upward momentum. The trend for most major indices remains positive, but despite a strong rally following the dip at the end of October, the markets are looking tired. Focusing on [...]
Bolland’s exit creates a gap November 22, 2009 Marc Bolland’s defection from WM Morrison to Marks & Spencer may have signalled the end of one succession saga – but has promptly sparked another, as the City clamours to predict who will fill the Dutchman’s shoes. Bolland is widely credited with transforming Morrison’s after its problematic acquisition of Safeway in 2004. When news broke [...]
ITV and M&S bosses can add long-term value November 22, 2009 Last week two of the UK’s biggest companies named new leaders. The appointments added hundreds of millions of pounds to the value of the businesses. But how much long-term value can a new boss add? Consider the pedigree of the men in question; both undoubtedly impressive. Marks & Spencer snared Marc Bolland as its new [...]
Sales grow at Morrisons November 19, 2009 WM Morrison yesterday unveiled strong third quarter sales, a day after the City and investors were left reeling from the shock departure of its chief executive Marc Bolland. The group said like-for-like sales rose 4.3 per cent in the 13 weeks to 1 November, just below expectations, as slowing food inflation pegged back growth from [...]
WANTED: STEADY HAND AT THE TILL November 19, 2009 THE departure of Wm Morrison boss Marc Bolland won’t blow the supermarket off course, retail experts said yesterday as the Bradford-based company posted another set of strong sales figures and customer growth. With Bolland sidelined ahead of taking the reins at Marks & Spencer in January, finance director Richard Pennycook took responsibility for yesterday’s trading [...]