Markets
FeedPick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 3rd 2010
It's a tale of bananas, bikes and the bonus paid to Rupert Murdoch (right) this morning as the wires start up. It's a pretty quiet start to what's expected to be a slow day on the markets. Senior figures are also floating ideas about the effects of financial regulation, and what the effects of existing rules will be.Germany drives Q2 EU growth lift
Adrian Holliday
Sep 2nd 2010
Filed under: Economy, Markets, News , Manufacturing
Eurozone gross domestic product (GDP) lifted by 1% in the second quarter, according to EU stats agency Eurostat. Eurostat also lifted its estimate relative to the previous 2008 second quarter - meaning eurozone growth in the first quarter climbed from 0.2% to 0.3%. These growth figures mean the EU outperformed both the US and Japan.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 2nd 2010
Strong US manufacturing data and the buzz of merger and acquisition rumour fuelled a market surge yesterday. Markets across the globe were up between 2 and 3%. Today's early announcements brought good news for retailer Dixons and better than-expected news for recruiter Hays.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Sep 1st 2010
A sea of red spread across the boards at one stage yesterday as markets plunged worldwide before an afternoon recovery returned to positive territory. Better than expected data on US consumer confidence sparked the recovery. This morning has started quietly.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 31st 2010
The carnival could be well and truly over. After rising to post a second consecutive weekly gain before the long weekend, it's going to be a nervy start for the FTSE today. Trading yesterday in the US, where there was no holiday, saw the Dow plunge on renewed fears about that country's economy.UK economy grows faster than thought
Adrian Holliday
Aug 27th 2010
Filed under: Debt, Economy, Investing, Markets, Budget 2010
The UK economy expanded at its fastest rate of growth - 1.2% - for nine years in the last quarter. The Q2 GDP figures are a surprise lift from the Office of National Statistics. So what's going on? A little pre-austerity cut binge? Or something more deep-rooted and longer lasting?Jupiter pulls out of cash and gold
David Burrows
Aug 27th 2010
Filed under: Investing, Markets
Jupiter star manager Philip Gibbs has moved out of cash and also sold out of gold. The manager of the massively popular Jupiter Financial Opportunities fund has chopped the the fund's cash position by more than two thirds over the last couple of months.
Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 27th 2010
Lots more company results this morning as the drive to post before the long weekend continues. GDP figures are out this morning and these, together with a scheduled speech by US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke (right) on the state of the US economy, will shape the markets before the break.Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 26th 2010
It's a bumper morning for company results, with up to 70 firms posting as the scramble to report before the end of the first half intensifies. Whether this sparks higher volumes and prices on what's been a depressed market remains to be seen, but we'll be covering the day as it unfolds.Promethean World: Down when it's up
Martin Cloake
Aug 25th 2010
You've got a great product that is performing well in a global market. Your core product's global success is augmented by an active customer community that will generate further revenue. Operating profits were up 30%. For Promethean World, life should be sweet. So why did shares fall 20% yesterday?Bad news sends markets down
David Burrows
Aug 25th 2010
Global markets continue to take a hit this week as a number of factors dent investor confidence.
A slide in commodity prices coupled with the fear of a fall in demand for goods has coincided with weak US housing data and low mortgage approvals in UK.
Add to that the Fed split on whether to employ quantitative easing and the dollar slumping against the yen and there is plenty to justify bearish sentiment and fears of a double dip recession.
Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 25th 2010
Strong interim figures from Costain and a return to profits for regional newspaper group Johnston Press start the day in a positive fashion after yesterday's market gloom that spread across Europe like the wet front forecast to sweep Britain today.Potash fends off BHP advances
David Burrows
Aug 24th 2010
The world's largest fertiliser producer, Potash Corporation, has urged its shareholders to reject a hostile takeover bid from BHP Billiton. The Canadian fertiliser company has already rejected an initial offer for the business of £25.8bn from mining giant BHP – but there is little sign that the cash-rich company will not continue its pursuit.
Why is HSBC on an African quest?
David Burrows
Aug 24th 2010
What is behind HSBC's attempt to buy a controlling stake in South Africa's Nedbank? A firm foothold in Africa and an even stronger position in the emerging markets generally, would seem to be the key motivating factor.
Pick of the early market news
Martin Cloake
Aug 24th 2010
A very positive set of results from advertising and marketing giant WPP kicks off the day's business after in yet more merger talk in yesterday's session drove stocks up and helped the FTSE 100 to end a three-day slump.
