FTSE sinks to a five-week low as miners and bank stocks fall August 2, 2011 BRITAIN’S top share index sank to a five-week closing low yesterday as investor confidence was further undermined by the uncertain global economic outlook, with miners bearing the brunt of the sell-off. The FTSE 100 fell for a third day in a row and ended down 56.04 points, or 1.0 per cent, at 5,718.39, its lowest [...]
COMMODITY DOLLARS MAY SEE PARITY September 13, 2011 FOR most of this year the strength of the commodity dollars has been one of the most consistent trends in the currency market. Both the Australian and the Canadian dollars spent the better part of 2011 trading above parity to the greenback, and as a result New York has been flooded with Australian tourists all [...]
German consumers are upbeat January 25, 2011 Germany’s relentless recovery received another boost yesterday, as consumer confidence figures showed yet a further increase. The household confidence index is expected to rise to 5.7 next month. The level for January was revised up to 5.5 from an initial estimate of 5.4, following six months of increases. “Even the first wave of German austerity [...]
German consumers are upbeat January 25, 2011 Germany’s relentless recovery received another boost yesterday, as consumer confidence figures showed yet a further increase. The household confidence index is expected to rise to 5.7 next month. The level for January was revised up to 5.5 from an initial estimate of 5.4, following six months of increases. “Even the first wave of German austerity [...]
Three year high for US morale February 22, 2011 AMERICAN consumers are the most upbeat they have been since February 2008 as the US economy continues to rebound, official data showed yesterday. “Rising equity prices, falling unemployment and the boost to disposable incomes from the payroll tax cut are more than offsetting the effects of higher gasoline prices and lower house prices,” commented Paul [...]
Three year high for US morale February 22, 2011 AMERICAN consumers are the most upbeat they have been since February 2008 as the US economy continues to rebound, official data showed yesterday. “Rising equity prices, falling unemployment and the boost to disposable incomes from the payroll tax cut are more than offsetting the effects of higher gasoline prices and lower house prices,” commented Paul [...]
Higher retail sales a boost for Eurozone September 5, 2011 SHOP SALES increased across the Eurozone in July despite a tough summer in debt-laden peripheral countries and concern from healthier nations who might be dragged down, according to figures out yesterday. Overall, retail sales increased by 0.2 per cent in July compared with June. Portugal and Romania led the way with 2.5 per cent and [...]
Carpetright in profit warning February 1, 2011 CARPETRIGHT, the UK’s biggest floor coverings retailer, yesterday warned on profits after a third-quarter sales slump, showing how a weak housing market, tax hikes and government cuts have hit consumer confidence. The retailer also said customers would face double-digit price rises this year due to the soaring cost of raw materials. “It is the first [...]
House prices up 0.8 per cent in January February 4, 2011 UK house prices rose by a slim 0.8 per cent in January compared with the previous month, according to figures from the Halifax. But the lender said prices had fallen 2.4 per cent compared with a year earlier. According to the figures the typical home in the UK now costs £164,173. “We expect limited movement [...]
CBI upbeat on prospects for 2012 growth July 31, 2011 IN spite of the lacklustre backdrop provided by the UK economy this year, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has stuck to its forecasts for growth in 2012, predicting a modest 2.2 per cent rise in GDP. But the squeeze on household incomes from higher commodity prices and an erosion of business confidence means that [...]