New York Report: Hopes for Syria extend S&P’s winning streak September 10, 2013 US STOCKS rose yesterday, with the S&P 500 index advancing for its longest stretch since early July, as an alternative proposal emerged that could avert a possible Western military strike on Syria. Encouraging economic data from China reinforced the view the world’s second-largest economy was stabilising and gave investors a further reason to buy. All [...]
Sell-off as Putin announces Russia is assissting Syria with arms shipments September 6, 2013 US equities and the dollar are selling off on the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia will assist Syria if strikes against Syria are launched. Putin has said that Russia is already assisting Syria with arms shipments. USDJPY hit hard as US Treasury bonds rallying again (yields lower) on Russia rhetoric. Wow. — [...]
Usmanov controlled Mail.ru sells down Facebook stake September 5, 2013 A COMPANY controlled by Russia’s richest man, billionaire Alisher Usmanov, has sold down a $528m (£338m) stake in US tech giant Facebook after the share price’s stellar rally this year. Usmanov, who is also a shareholder in Arsenal football club, sold 142m shares through his Mail.ru Group vehicle, which represents about 0.6 per cent stake, [...]
Russian firm teams up on UK nuclear September 5, 2013 RUSSIA’S state nuclear energy operator Rosatom yesterday said it has teamed up with Finish utility firm Fortum and British aerospace company Rolls-Royce to assess if it could construct nuclear power plants in the UK. Under the agreement, Rolls-Royce will undertake engineering and safety assessment work for Rosatom and Fortum will bring safety and waste management [...]
Second straight win for BoJo at glitzy GQ Men of the Year bash September 3, 2013 TO THE Royal Opera House in Covent Garden last night for the 16th annual GQ Men of the Year Awards in association with Hugo Boss. Among the celebrity and sporting stars in attendance – such as actors Michael Douglas, Samuel L Jackson and Stephen Fry – were some familiar faces from the worlds of politics and [...]
Gazprom profit up five per cent as rebates drop September 3, 2013 RUSSIAN energy giant Gazprom posted a five per cent rise in first-quarter net profit yesterday as higher exports and lower rebates to customers helped it top forecasts. Gazprom said its net profit attributable to shareholders over the January to March period rose to 381bn roubles (£7.3bn) from 361bn roubles a year earlier. The result topped [...]
Western retail business looks to Russian capital for new markets September 3, 2013 EUROPEAN retailers are increasingly shifting their focus eastwards, as Moscow becomes a top destination for shoppers and consumer spending. Mark Faithfull, the editor of Retail Property Analyst, said: “Moscow is the obvious starting point for international retailers looking to expand”. He added that while luxury products were the first to find the market, familiar brands [...]
Arsenal spend at last and spark 12-fold increase in shirt sales September 3, 2013 ARSENAL reported an enormous spike in sales of replica shirts yesterday as fans flocked to celebrate the club record signing of Mesut Ozil. Sales of shirts via the club’s online store were 12 times higher than normal, a Gunners spokesperson said, while retail outlets at the stadium also reported huge interest, with the overwhelming majority [...]
Russian embassy reports no damage in Damascus after missile detection September 3, 2013 The Russian Defence Ministry announced detection of two ballistic "objects" fired towards the Eastern Mediterranean early this morning, according to the RIA News Agency. That report has now been denied by the Russian embassy in Syria, which has stated that there is no sign of a missile attack or explosions in Damascus after ballistic launches [...]
Football’s big spenders get ready for a final day’s shopping September 1, 2013 THE countdown to the football transfer deadline, which is at 23.00 tonight, promises much in terms of excitement and intrigue. Fuelled by a massive increase in broadcast revenues – Premier League clubs will share out £1.6bn, compared to £1.06bn last year – the country’s wealthiest owners are falling over each other to add to their [...]