February 23, 2005
The US dollar saw a dramatic fall in value - the highest single loss in four months - after traders interpreted comments from the South Korean central bank as meaning that Asia would be selling off its US dollars. Japan is the single largest holder of US dollar reserves in the world, and Sourth Korea holds the fourth, so it is essential for the dollar to contonue to have strong holdings ...
Dollar falls as Asia woos euro
by Brian TurnerThe US dollar saw a dramatic fall in value - the highest single loss in four months - after traders interpreted comments from the South Korean central bank as meaning that Asia would be selling off its US dollars. Japan is the single largest holder of US dollar reserves in the world, and Sourth Korea holds the fourth, so it is essential for the dollar to contonue to have strong holdings ...
February 22, 2005
Deutsche Boerse has boosted its dividend to shareholders for 2004 by 27%, in an attempt to persuade investors that the company is really looking after them. Deutsche Boerse already had already offered £1.3 billion for the London Stock Exchange, but a number of Deutsche Boerse stockholders had complained that any subsequent bid would likely overvalue the LSE and a take-over be detrimental to investor interests. The move to raise the dividend ...
Deutsche Boerse boosts dividend
by Brian TurnerDeutsche Boerse has boosted its dividend to shareholders for 2004 by 27%, in an attempt to persuade investors that the company is really looking after them. Deutsche Boerse already had already offered £1.3 billion for the London Stock Exchange, but a number of Deutsche Boerse stockholders had complained that any subsequent bid would likely overvalue the LSE and a take-over be detrimental to investor interests. The move to raise the dividend ...
February 17, 2005
As the price of oil began a rise again, fears that Japanese economic growth would be impacted by higher oil prices led to decline in investment for finance and manufacturing. General fears that declaining economic growth is going to impact investment also saw falls in the real estate sectors. Although there was significant investment in oil stocks, overall Japanese stock indices showed small overall declaines.
Oil fears dent Japanese hopes
by Brian TurnerAs the price of oil began a rise again, fears that Japanese economic growth would be impacted by higher oil prices led to decline in investment for finance and manufacturing. General fears that declaining economic growth is going to impact investment also saw falls in the real estate sectors. Although there was significant investment in oil stocks, overall Japanese stock indices showed small overall declaines.
February 14, 2005
Russia has this year declared its intention to exclude foreign companies from bidding on exploitation of Russian natural resources. The news will especially affecting the exploitation of oil prospecting and metal ore mining by Western companies, such as Exxon, Shell, and Fleming Family and Partners, as only those companies with at least 51% ownership by the Russian state are eligable to take part in tenders. It marks the acceleration of an ...
Russia restricts natural resources from foreign companies
by Brian TurnerRussia has this year declared its intention to exclude foreign companies from bidding on exploitation of Russian natural resources. The news will especially affecting the exploitation of oil prospecting and metal ore mining by Western companies, such as Exxon, Shell, and Fleming Family and Partners, as only those companies with at least 51% ownership by the Russian state are eligable to take part in tenders. It marks the acceleration of an ...
February 10, 2005
Speculation that two of Japan's biggest finance companies may merge sent their share prices up today. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (SMFG), and Daiwa Securities, have been linked to merger talks by Japanese finance paper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, which claimed that the two companies have already discussed the merger with Japanese regulators. Both SMFG and Daiwa refused to answer the main speculation, but did concede that both companies were looking for a closer partnership. SMFG ...
Japanese finance houses talk merger
by Brian TurnerSpeculation that two of Japan's biggest finance companies may merge sent their share prices up today. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (SMFG), and Daiwa Securities, have been linked to merger talks by Japanese finance paper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, which claimed that the two companies have already discussed the merger with Japanese regulators. Both SMFG and Daiwa refused to answer the main speculation, but did concede that both companies were looking for a closer partnership. SMFG ...
Fair Eire markets
by Brian TurnerIrish economic conditions look favourable to investors, as the country looks set to enjoy 5% growth over 2005 and 2006. Even with stocks in Irish companies, such as Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, and Eirecom, all at record highs, analyst suggestions are that Irish equity is still undervalued, and continue to offer quality growth at a reasonable valuation.
GlaxoSmithKline loses to generics
by Brian TurnerEuropean biotech giant, GlaxoSmithKline, reported a profit fall of 9% in 2004 to a total of £6.2bn ($11.5bn). However, despite losing out around £1.5 billion to generic drugs markets, GlaxoSmithKline still saw 1% overall growth, and expects to improve on sales revenue over 2005.
LSE bid speculation continues
by Brian TurnerMarket analysts continue to consider what actual bid may eventually take the London Stock Exchange into someone elses hands. Deutsche Boerse has now been twice rejected, yet investor favourite Euronext has yet to put in an actual bid. However, Euronext has apparently lined up financing with eight banks, and this has led to speculation of a coming bid in excess of 600 pence per share in LSE. This would lead to a prospective ...
February 3, 2005
ExxonMobil announced Q4 net profits of $8.42bn, resulting in a final year profits of over $25 bn. The Q4 earnings show an increase from Q3 of $5.68bn, and were especially inflated by rising oil prices. Although general market expectations were surpassed, the company warned that rising materials prices and exploration costs meant that the company would be faced with increased cost pressures over 2005.
Oil profits roll in on market fears
by Brian TurnerExxonMobil announced Q4 net profits of $8.42bn, resulting in a final year profits of over $25 bn. The Q4 earnings show an increase from Q3 of $5.68bn, and were especially inflated by rising oil prices. Although general market expectations were surpassed, the company warned that rising materials prices and exploration costs meant that the company would be faced with increased cost pressures over 2005.
S&R upgrade India to BB+
by Brian TurnerIndia enjoyed a record run against the US dollar after major credit rating firm, Standard & Poor, raised India's credit worthiness rating a notch to BB+. India's foreign currency rating is now one notch below investment grade, which starts at 'BBB-'. Indian markets have seen a recent movement of funds out, to countries such as Korea and Thailand, which are also doing well. Expectations are that the upgrade in Indian credit rating ...
February 2, 2005
A string of strong profit reports were made by major US companies today. Google reported profits of over $204.1m for Q4, which again exceeded market expectations, resulting in a stock price's rise that at one point peaked at $216.80 per share. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp reported an 80% increase in Q4 profits to $386m (£205m), with film and DVD sales being particular earners for the company. And these are areas expected to ...
Profits on US markets
by Brian TurnerA string of strong profit reports were made by major US companies today. Google reported profits of over $204.1m for Q4, which again exceeded market expectations, resulting in a stock price's rise that at one point peaked at $216.80 per share. Rupert Murdoch's News Corp reported an 80% increase in Q4 profits to $386m (£205m), with film and DVD sales being particular earners for the company. And these are areas expected to ...
February 1, 2005
London's FTSE-100 share index reached a two-and-a-half year high on the back of a string of strong trading sessions, while it's mid-cap FTSE 250 index reached an all-time high of 7,186.7 in trading. Mining companies were especially sought after, as expectations of good dividends on BHP Bilton were added to be expectations of increased mining operations in a strong Chinese economy. Blue-chip shares and oil investments also helped push up prices towards ...
UK enjoys growing investment momentum
by Brian TurnerLondon's FTSE-100 share index reached a two-and-a-half year high on the back of a string of strong trading sessions, while it's mid-cap FTSE 250 index reached an all-time high of 7,186.7 in trading. Mining companies were especially sought after, as expectations of good dividends on BHP Bilton were added to be expectations of increased mining operations in a strong Chinese economy. Blue-chip shares and oil investments also helped push up prices towards ...
Tech stocks weakened Japanese exchange
by Brian TurnerWeaknesses in the Japanese technology markets continue, as Pioneer reported that intensifying price competition and lower margins meant that it would have to revise down its profit expectations. Despite successes in manufacturing and biotechnology, the disppointing returns on key technology players left the Tokyo Stock Exchange flat. Asian markets are now watching to see how an expected quarter percentile increase in US rates affects investing trends wordwide.
Russian credit rating approved
by Brian TurnerStandard & Poor, a major credit rating agency, has finally followed Fitch and Moody's positive reclassification of Russia's debt - and investment rating. Despite the poor publicity surrounding the effective state seizure of Yukos, overall tax and legal reforms, coupled with strong government finances, mean that S&R upgraded Russia as "speculative" to "investment grade". Under President Putin, Russia has become creditor rather than a debtor, with gold and foreign currency reserves now ...
