Strong commodities and SAB Miller drive FTSE to a three-week high November 22, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index reached a three-week high yesterday after gaining for a fourth straight session, driven by strength in commodity stocks after a return to growth in China’s manufacturing sector. The FTSE 100 index closed up 39 points, or 0.6 per cent, at 5,791.03, extending its gains for the week so far to almost [...]
European shares given a boost by data from China November 22, 2012 EUROPEAN shares rose for a fourth consecutive session in thin volume yesterday as strong Chinese data and results from SABMiller encouraged some investors to bet on a continuation of the recent bounce. SABMiller was the top riser, adding 6.9 per cent in volume after it reported strong growth, and heavyweight basic resources stocks were also [...]
No need to break the bank on winter travel insurance November 22, 2012 RECENT disasters – from airline collapses to volcanic ash and Hurricane Sandy – have led to disrupted travel plans, increased pressure on travel insurance companies, and vulnerable travellers facing financial loss after independently booking their holidays. You may choose to spend your winter holiday on a beach rather than white water rafting down the Colorado [...]
Getting insured for your ski holiday is snow joke November 22, 2012 You’re heading to the ski slopes for a well-earned break from City life. Your passports have been rediscovered, your flights booked, and your bags packed. But have you arranged your travel insurance? A survey of winter holiday-makers by the AA found that a third of those buying travel insurance did not check the level of [...]
UK shares rebound led by energy rises despite thin trading volumes November 21, 2012 Shares rebounded from early falls for the second session in a row yesterday, with a rising oil price supporting energy stocks to lead British blue chips higher. The FTSE 100 index gained 3.93 points, or 0.1 per cent, to finish at 5,752.03 points in thin trade of only 85 per cent of the average 90 [...]
Wall St trades higher ahead of Thanksgiving November 21, 2012 US stocks finished modestly higher yesterday, with the S&P 500 up for a fourth session although trading volume was one of the year’s lowest on the day ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Investors welcomed news that a ceasefire was declared to end the flare-up in violence between Israel and the Palestinians, though the lack of [...]
MBA candidates are moving against the conventional grain November 21, 2012 THE decision to sign up to an MBA programme should not be taken lightly for a whole host of reasons. The two-year, full-time programme is expensive and, in applying, candidates are choosing to voluntarily leave the workplace, pay tuition fees, and dig into their savings to fund their living expenses. This may in part explain [...]
Glenstrata merger boosts mining stocks as FTSE pares early losses November 20, 2012 UK shares reversed early losses yesterday, helped by the completion of the long-awaited takeover of miner Xstrata by commodities trader Glencore which boosted both stocks. Xstrata led the risers, adding 3.1 per cent, after its shareholders approved the $31bn deal which had been on the cards ever since Glencore listed last year. Mining stocks, which [...]
Bernanke and HP woes halt rally in stocks November 20, 2012 WALL Street halted its two-day rally yesterday, after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank lacks tools to cushion the US economy from the impact of the “fiscal cliff.” The day’s biggest disappointment was Hewlett-Packard shares, which sank to a 10-year low after the computer and printer maker swung to a fourth-quarter loss [...]
Japan’s election is likely to bring weakness in yen November 20, 2012 WHEN a stagnant economy meets a turbulent political environment, expect volatility. Traders spying an opportunity might want to cast their eyes to the Land of the Rising Sun, Japan. Over the last two decades, yen bears have been brutally battered as the currency has soared. Since 2007, dollar-yen has fallen by over 60 per cent. [...]