FTSE reshuffle offers traders tight spreads and volatility September 5, 2010 THE quarterly reshuffle of the FTSE 100 is due this Wednesday after the market close. Companies will be thrown into or out of the financial first division and spread betters should be ready. The changes can spark both immediate volatility and longer-term opportunities upon which traders can capitalise. The review ensures that the UK’s leading [...]
London shops boom but UK sales stutter July 18, 2010 LONDON shops enjoyed June sales 14.4 per cent higher than a year ago, according to research out today. The shopping boom far outstrips the rest of the UK, where like-for-like growth was just 1.2 per cent, and represents the strongest sales growth in the capital since October 2006. Research by KPMG and the British Retail [...]
FTSE drags with not a single riser June 29, 2010 BRITAIN’S top share index hit a near 10-month closing low yesterday, led down by mining stocks and banks, as risk appetite was hurt by renewed concerns over the strength of global recovery and Europe’s debt problems. The FTSE 100 closed down 157.46 points, or 3.1 per cent, at 4,914.22, its lowest close since 4 ?September [...]
German business morale at highest since reunification November 24, 2010 GERMAN business confidence continues to surge hitting its highest level since reunification, a survey released yesterday showed. Economists had expected no improvements in the Ifo Business Survey for November, yet the index revealed an enhanced business climate for the sixth consecutive month. The indicator jumped to 109.3 points, up 16.5 per cent on the same [...]
Wall Street rises on strong retail figures February 3, 2011 US stocks ended near the session’s highs yesterday, with investors favouring shares of retailers after encouraging chain-store sales raised confidence ahead of today’s jobs report. The Morgan Stanley retail index rose 2.8 per cent, driven by companies such as Sears Holdings, up almost eight per cent, and Ross Stores, up six per cent and at [...]
Wall Street rises on strong retail figures February 3, 2011 US stocks ended near the session’s highs yesterday, with investors favouring shares of retailers after encouraging chain-store sales raised confidence ahead of today’s jobs report. The Morgan Stanley retail index rose 2.8 per cent, driven by companies such as Sears Holdings, up almost eight per cent, and Ross Stores, up six per cent and at [...]
Consumers are not willing to splash the cash November 16, 2010 The Christmas spending season is well under way, but there are some worrying signs for UK retailers in the latest Bloomberg/YouGov Household Economic Activity Tracker (HEAT). Particular concern is warranted around consumers’ willingness to purchase big ticket items, which can make or break a brand’s Christmas retail season. The report found that UK consumers have [...]
THE TIPSTER July 27, 2010 THE Canadian dollar continues to look strong on the back of a firmer oil price, especially against the yen, which is a net importer of oil. But having traded in a range of ¥86.40-¥82.00 over the last few weeks, the loonie looks to be testing the top of its recent range. Look to sell Canadian [...]
THE TIPSTER July 27, 2010 THE Canadian dollar continues to look strong on the back of a firmer oil price, especially against the yen, which is a net importer of oil. But having traded in a range of ¥86.40-¥82.00 over the last few weeks, the loonie looks to be testing the top of its recent range. Look to sell Canadian [...]
Swannell is the right man for M&S August 23, 2010 WHEN I had breakfast with Robert Swannell, the newly appointed chairman of Marks & Spencer recently, it was clear that the former investment banker was in anything but wind down mode. After three decades of working on mergers and acquisitions, sometimes over seven-day weeks involving late nights, Swannell could have been forgiven for putting his [...]