Why open borders should be the West’s peaceful response to Russian aggression March 26, 2014 Western nations have responded to Russia's annexation of Crimea with moral condemnation and a series of sanctions against individuals with close ties to the Kremlin. On 21 March, the EU extended visa restrictions to a further 12 individuals. Later today Barack Obama will meet with EU leaders to discuss a response to Russia's actions, after [...]
What you need to know before the open March 26, 2014 The rebound seen in European markets yesterday is expected to continue today, as investors set aside worries over the Ukraine-Russia situation, focusing on some pretty reasonable data from Germany and the US. The upbeat data buoyed Asian shares, which hit two week highs in Wednesday trading. Two further developments yesterday helped give markets a boost. [...]
Asian markets jump after US consumer confidence reaches six-year high March 26, 2014 Asian markets are reacting to positively to data from the US showing consumer confidence at a six year high and house prices rising in January. Investors are still hoping the Chinese government may introduce stimulus measures to boost its sliding economy. Markets were buoyed by easing tensions over Ukraine as Western leaders continued to show [...]
UK-Russia pact reviewed after Ukraine unrest March 25, 2014 THE UK government confirmed yesterday that it is reviewing a cooperation agreement with Russian state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom due to the ongoing political crisis in Ukraine. “[The UK] and Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding on establishing a programme of commercial cooperation in civil nuclear energy in September last year,” said a spokesperson from [...]
Kingfisher returns £200m to shareholders March 25, 2014 KINGFISHER, the owner of DIY chains B&Q and Screwfix, announced plans to hand £200m to shareholders as brighter prospects in the UK helped boost its full-year performance, sending shares up six per cent yesterday. Finance director Karen Witts said it will launch a multi-year programme starting with £200m in this financial year – its first [...]
London Report: FTSE rebound rally spurred by corporate data March 25, 2014 THE UK’S top share index rose yesterday, bouncing off of a six-week closing low, after Kingfisher and EasyJet posted updates raising optimism about the outlook for corporate earnings. Home improvements retailer Kingfisher jumped six per cent as it said it would return about £200m to shareholders in the current year, after meeting forecasts with a [...]
What you need to know before the US open March 25, 2014 US markets are expected slightly higher today, although concerns remain when it comes to ongoing geopolitical issues. Indices fell yesterday, although the selloff was concentrated in the Nasdaq. G7 leaders have threatened Russia with further sanctions if Vladimir Putin continues to destabilise Ukraine, following the seizure of Crimea. That said, Russian markets have steadied today, [...]
Russian markets are jumping as fears of sanctions fade March 25, 2014 Russia’s rouble has gained 1.4 per cent against the dollar today – its second-largest gain this year and the most among emerging markets today. That, in the midst of the ongoing Ukraine crisis, and the threat of more sanctions from the West. The currency's now risen 2.7 per cent versus the dollar since its lowest [...]
Asian markets flat after US manufacturing slowdown March 25, 2014 Asian markets are holding steady as investors wait to see how events in Ukraine unfold and whether the slowdown in US manufacturing continues. Markets will be watching not only the West's response to the annexation of Crimea but whether Russia will slip into recession. Japan's Shoko Chukin survey revealed that a last minute spending rush [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 25 March 2014 March 24, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Russia braced for £70bn in outflows The Russian government is braced for the country’s capital outflows to soar to $70bn in the first three months of the year as investors seek cover from the fallout of President Vladimir Putin’s Ukrainian land grab. Andrei Klepach, Russia’s deputy economy minister, said capital outflows in the [...]