Why investors are fixated on just one number this afternoon May 13, 2014 It's a pretty sparse calendar for traders today, and one data point stands out head and shoulders above the rest. US retail sales numbers will be released at 1.30pm, and they'll help to decode a pretty messy picture. Their strength will give an indication of the strength of the US economy, now that it's clear [...]
The FTSE just hit its highest level since January 2000. Here’s what you need to know May 13, 2014 Traders are shrugging off concerns about tensions over Ukraine, and instead riding the momentum from yesterday's record-setting US session. London's leading index, the FTSE 100, is currently trading at its highest level since January 2000. More broadly European shares have risen to a six-year high after that US rally. Yesterday saw the Dow Jones and [...]
What you need to know before the open May 13, 2014 A positive open for European markets this morning, following the impressive rallies seen yesterday. The FTSE hit a 14-year high yesterday, with European stocks hitting six-year highs. M&A activity buoyed sentiment, as speculation over monetary stimulus from the European Central Bank grew on dovish comments from Ewald Nowotny, Austria’s central banker. Corporate news Pfizer has [...]
Asian markets rise after strong finish on Wall Street May 13, 2014 Asian markets are on the rise as investors welcomed a weaker yen and a strong performance on Wall Street, with US equity indexes climbing to record highs. Japanese car maker Nissan enjoyed strong gains after full-year profits jumped 10 per cent beating analysts' estimates and forecast increasing dividends. Mitsubishi Chemical also rose sharply on reports [...]
Retailers cheer as Easter buyers flock to shops May 12, 2014 SHOPPERS flooded back to high streets and shopping centres this April, with sales surging during the late start to Easter, according to a major trade group. This mornings’s figures on retail sales from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG show a 5.7 per cent jump in spending last month, when compared to the same [...]
How the high street’s keeping the edge over online retailers May 12, 2014 Edison Investment Research is far from convinced the internet premium seen in retail is a) the thing changing the UK high street or b) something that’ll stick around. In a research note published today, the investment specialist challenges how justifiable the current e-tail premium is, saying the future of retail is very much multi-channel. For [...]
What you need to know before the open May 12, 2014 European markets are set to open lower this morning, following Asian counterparts, as investors await with caution for events in Ukraine to unfold. Yesterday, anti-Kiev rebels declared victory in a referendum on self-rule in eastern Ukraine. Western leaders are threatening further sanctions around energy and the financial services, if Moscow moves to disrupt the planned [...]
Britons step up spending over Easter holidays May 11, 2014 BRITONS loosened their purse-strings and increased their spending in April thanks to the warmer weather and a late Easter, with discounters reaping most of the rewards, according to new data released yesterday. Figures from Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the UK’s debit and credit transactions, showed spending rose 3.7 per cent last month compared [...]
Philip Green plans stock market return after buying Mysale stake May 11, 2014 RETAIL tycoon Sir Philip Green has bought a 25 per cent stake in an Australian shopping website that is plotting a float on the London Stock Exchange within months. Mysale is Australia and Asia’s largest provider of online flash sales, where shoppers can buy clothing and homeware brands at a discount for a short period [...]
What you need to know before the US open May 9, 2014 Stocks futures suggest a lower open for US markets today, rounding off a week of bumpy trading, central bank announcements and ongoing wariness owing to the Ukraine situation. Corporate news Clothes retailer Gap has jumped 8.5 per cent in pre-market trading after announcing a nine per cent increase in comparable sales for April and a [...]