Asian markets slide after US housing slowdown April 24, 2014 Asian markets are in retreat after the US posted worse than expected home sales and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe confirmed that a trade deal with the US had not yet been agreed. It was hoped that a successful free trade deal between the US and Japan would be precursor to the completion of the [...]
Facebook and Apple defy the tech critics April 23, 2014 TECHNOLOGY giants Facebook and Apple silenced talk of a tech bubble last night as they trumped all expectations, both delivering record earnings for the first quarter of 2014. Facebook’s booming mobile advertising business led the social network to revenues of $2.5bn (£1.5bn) in the quarter, above the expected $2.36bn, and profit of $642m, up more [...]
Arm shares hit as profit growth begins to slow April 23, 2014 ARM Holdings, whose chip technology powers Apple’s iPhone, saw its shares slide yesterday after a disappointing end to 2013 resulted in first-quarter profit rising less than in previous years. Sales of top-end smartphones, a market dominated by Apple and Samsung, were lower than predicted during the Christmas holiday season, leading to worries that the market [...]
Three ways you can bounce back after being fired April 23, 2014 Having an explanation ready for any abrupt departure is vital THE LATE Steve Jobs said that being fired from Apple in 1985 was the best thing that could have ever happened to him. “The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me [...]
What you need to know before the US open April 23, 2014 US stocks futures suggest a slightly lower open today, following the recent rally the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have seen over the last few days. Mortgage applications in the US fell 3.3 per cent last week – the eighth drop in 11 weeks – with homeowners looking to refinance existing loans, and those looking for [...]
Any Other Business – 23/4 April 23, 2014 WHOEVER said banks were too macho? Goldman Sachs revealed some preference for the trend of flavoured beers in its US alcohol outlook this week, claiming that flavourisation is helping beer to stay relevant with the current consumers. The bank’s analysts praised Bud Light “Rita”, which comes in Strawberry flavour, as well as MillerCoors’ Apple Ale [...]
Here’s why Goldman Sachs think the US is on the verge of a beer renaissance April 22, 2014 The US could be on the cusp of a beer renaissance, according to leading investment bank Goldman Sachs. An improving employment market combined with improved innovation and marketing, could see US beer volumes enjoy a substantial recovery. Over the past 15 years, wine and spirits have been making most of the running when it comes [...]
What you need to know before the open April 22, 2014 A higher open for European markets is expected this morning, following the S&P 500 posting its best winning streak so far this year. With markets over here closed yesterday, it finished higher for the fifth day in a row. Investor focus will likely be on the latest earnings reports from companies both sides of the [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 22 April 2014 April 22, 2014 FINANCIAL TIMES Anglo eyes SA platinum shift Anglo American is preparing the ground for an exit from part of its South African platinum business, in what would be one of the miner’s most decisive shifts away from troublesome assets since Mark Cutifani became chief executive last year. The country’s platinum sector has been crippled for [...]
Microsoft to take over Nokia’s handset business this week April 22, 2014 MICROSOFT has finalised the deal to buy Nokia’s devices and services business after months of fine-tuning on the acquisition. The US computing giant is paying €5.4bn (£4.4bn) for the troubled phone firm’s handset arm, in a deal first announced in September 2013. The deal will complete this Friday, 25 April. Microsoft hopes it will help [...]