Wall St The week ahead September 23, 2012 US stocks could struggle to stay close to nearly five-year highs this week as worries mount about third-quarter earnings and the market appears primed for a pullback from recent stimulus-driven gains. A bevy of economic reports, including durable goods orders, will grab attention, particularly after the Federal Reserve unveiled its plan on 13 September for [...]
Absolutely inconsistent funds September 23, 2012 ABSOLUTE return funds aim to deliver positive returns – even in falling markets. Unlike other fund sectors, which are defined by the assets they hold, absolute return is defined by its performance. The sector has £24.7bn of funds under management, about 4 per cent of the retail fund market. However, some experts are concerned that [...]
Being a plucky trailblazer can leave you spitting feathers September 23, 2012 THERE is always a lot of talk about first mover advantage. But is it overrated? The benefits are quite clear: being first to the market means you may have a monopoly, with no competition. This allows you to charge a higher price than otherwise. The other big benefit is that your brand becomes strongly associated [...]
FTSE drifts lower as fears over UK’s economic outlook leads to caution September 20, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index wilted yesterday after economic data painted a bleak picture of prospects for a rebound in activity in the United States, Europe and China, heightening concerns over company earnings and valuations. The UK’s FTSE 100 closed down 33.84 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 5,854.64, continuing to edge away from 6-month highs [...]
Morale on Wall Street bucks weak US data September 20, 2012 THE DOW industrials ended slightly higher last night while the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq cut most of the day’s losses in a sign that investor sentiment remains generally positive despite several weak manufacturing surveys from around the world. Pockets of strength included housing, with an index of housing stocks up 0.8 per cent, following [...]
Surge in banking shares helps FTSE to maintain its near 6-month high September 19, 2012 STRENGTH in banks and energy stocks hauled Britain’s leading share index higher yesterday as fresh central bank stimulus moves, this time from the Bank of Japan, whetted investors’ appetite for riskier-perceived assets. The BoJ joined in recent action from the US and Europe with bond purchases designed to kick-start its economy as central banks aim [...]
Surprise lift in housing sales boosts Wall St September 19, 2012 US stocks rose yesterday as investors dipped back into the market after the recent pullback from a rally that lifted the S&P 500 to just shy of five-year highs. Housing stocks were among the day’s leaders following stronger-than-expected data on home sales. The PHLX housing sector index jumped 2.2 per cent, led by a 4.3 [...]
Money doesn’t always make an MBA September 19, 2012 YOU’RE spending thousands of pounds on an MBA course (a one year programme at Said Business School costs upwards of £41,000, plus an estimated £13,250 in expenses), you’re losing one or maybe two years of wages, and you’re interrupting your career to take a business degree. It’s a natural impulse to think in mercenary terms [...]
FTSE feels pain from Spain as the Eurozone waits for a bailout plea September 18, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index eased for a second day yesterday, retreating further off recent six-month highs on uncertainty over whether steps taken by the US and Europe will be enough to kick-start the global economy. In UK’s top trading partner the Eurozone, a big hurdle is Spain. Madrid’s reluctance to make a formal request for [...]
US stocks flat as bellwether cuts forecasts September 18, 2012 US stocks ended flat to slightly lower yesterday after bellwether FedEx cut its profit forecast and investors pulled back after last week’s rally on central bank stimulus. Falling oil prices weighed on the market for a second day, with the S&P 500 energy index, down 0.7 per cent, the day’s biggest decliner among the S&P’s [...]