Lobbying for gains over the election cycle June 11, 2012 AS WE head towards a Mitt Romney versus Barack Obama showdown in November, what does this year’s presidential election mean for the stock market? Can we look at past election cycle trends to gain an advantage in this cycle? As you can see from the chart on the right, based on cumulative data from the [...]
MARKETS SET TO RETURN THEIR FOCUS ON THE FED June 11, 2012 MOST global stock indices rallied strongly in the first two months of this year. Investors bought equities in response to the European Central Bank’s (ECB) two Long-Term Refinancing Operations (LTRO), which provided around €1 trillion in liquidity to Europe’s banking system. But the indices have struggled since March, with the sell-off accelerating from early May. [...]
THE TIPSTER | Consulting an upbeat 2012 June 11, 2012 CONSULTANCY WS Atkins was quite upbeat about its full-year results back in April, so it will be interesting to see if the company can indeed deliver. The shares have dropped back noticeably from their 2012 high around 800p, so the company will be hoping that its figures are enthusiastically received by investors. IG’s price on [...]
Pain in Spain will continue to reign June 11, 2012 AFTER opening to a flurry of optimism – following this weekend’s agreement to bail out Spanish banks – stock markets had sunk back down by the end of yesterday. It’s business as usual for Europe, and business is usually pretty bad right now. “Friday’s late price action on the Ibex 35 was indicative – traders [...]
Analyst picks for 11 June 2012 June 11, 2012 CURRENCY STRATEGIST JOEL KRUGER My pick: Long euro-dollar at €1.246, stop on close below €1.240 Expertise: Technical analysis Average time frame of trades: 1 day to 1 week This past week was rather constructive for the euro, in light of intense selling in previous weeks. A break of a sequence of four consecutive weekly lower [...]
Gold and the Vix: why the two fear indices matter June 11, 2012 FOR the last four years, pictures of traders with their hands on their faces have been a staple of financial newspaper picture desks. And that doesn’t seem to be anywhere near to ending. Markets are jumpy, with the doomed €100bn gamble to bail out Spain’s banks. But volatility and market uncertainty needn’t be traders’ enemy [...]
LONDON REPORT June 10, 2012 THE week starts with a quarterly trading statement from grocer Tesco, which is expected to report a fall in earnings because of tough economic conditions and fierce competition. Tomorrow will see the release of the UK’s latest industrial production and manufacturing data, plus a speech from Paul Tucker, deputy governor of the Bank of England. [...]
WALL ST THE WEEK AHEAD June 10, 2012 US stocks will get a lift today after Eurozone finance ministers agreed to lend Spain up to €100bn (£80.8bn) to help its battered banks. The surprisingly large amount of aid removes a huge cloud that has been hanging over financial markets, with investors fearing that a banking crisis in the Eurozone’s fourth-largest economy could have [...]
Ella’s Kitchen has been cooking on all cylinders June 10, 2012 ANY parent fighting against the near-impossible battle to keep their toddler’s diet healthy will have heard of Ella’s Kitchen. Gracing the shelves of the nation’s supermarkets, Paul Lindley’s gastronomic creations are a contemporary take on uniform baby food and a healthy alternative to sweets for snacking kids. Lindley claims the success of Ella’s Kitchen is [...]
Smarta businesses could win £10,000 June 10, 2012 WHILE the Eurozone crumbles around us, businesses and entrepreneurs are working hard to build upon the shifting rubble. Here is snapshot of their latest activities: ■ The 2012 Smarta 100 competition launches today. It’s a celebration of the most exciting and disruptive small businesses, with a cash prize of £10,000 for the overall winner. The [...]
