Business — GuardiansPress

Europe Stocks Rise

December 24, 2011 by admin ·

European stocks closed higher in thin pre-Christmas trade, helped by energy and drug stocks.

Most markets will reopen Tuesday after the Christmas break. The U.K. market, which closed early on Friday, reopens on Wednesday.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.9% to 241.83, its fourth gain of the week. The weekly boost of 3.5% was its first weekly increase in three weeks.

U.S. stocks also were firmer as investors cheered a break in the latest Congressional deadlock. In addition, a raft of economic data showed U.S. consumers spending a bit more amid small income gains and low prices. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Stock Market ·

Why Silver Could Be the Hottest Commodity of 2012

December 23, 2011 by admin ·

If you’re around my age, then you probably remember exactly where you were when you heard the news in Nov. 1963 that President Kennedy had been shot. The first lunar landing in July 1969 is another such time marker for my generation, as is Sept. 11, 2001.

Jan. 21, 1980, on the other hand, is probably notable only to the extreme financial market aficionados among us.

That’s the day the price of silver peaked at an intraday high of a record $50.35 per ounce, or about $140 an ounce in today’s (inflation-adjusted) dollars — more than four times the current price. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Precious Metals ·

Buying A Car? Get Up To 60,000 Discount In December

December 21, 2011 by admin ·

If you’re planning to postpone buying a new car because you’re convinced that a new model year vehicle will be more value for money, think again.

The double whammy of a sluggish December and general sentiment downturn has increased inventory levels of petrol vehicles across car segments, prompting car companies to push sales through aggressive discounts. In other words, December may be just the time to get the best bargains in the industry.

Consider some of the options on offer – discounts and/or ‘benefits’ on small petrol cars range from the Rs 25,000 for the WagonR to up to Rs 64,000 on the Chevy Spark (discount of Rs 53,000 plus free insurance worth Rs 11,000). [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Cars/Vehicles, Economy ·

The One You Can Trust

December 17, 2011 by admin ·

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Nevertheless, beware and do not run after those too good to be true providers because they may lead you up spending far more than you were planning to. Just simply choose the one you can trust and be a witness of the best way to transact online. Further, this prepaid card not only takes you out on the hassle of online transactions, but also gives you the freedom to instantly spend when and where you want. After all, it is safer when you have a card which is a secure means of transport and use. So what are you waiting now guys, better visits the above mentioned and find out more of their virtual visa card.

Filed Under: Business, Economy ·

Gold Fall May Stoke Demand For Jewellery During Wedding, New Year Season

December 17, 2011 by admin ·

Clients who bet gold would rise on local commodity exchanges because of a falling rupee and worsening economic crisis in the West took a hit on Wednesday after prices in the international market plunged by $57 an ounce (31.1 gm) to close at $1,574.

However, they were saved from staring at a larger hole in their pockets by a depreciating rupee and also the fact that brokers cut their positions at a loss. “Some clients were caught on the wrong foot and brokers squared off their positions as prices tanked almost 4%,” said Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, director, Commtrendz, a commodity research company.

“Those clients whose positions were not cut had to top up their margins on Thursday after brokers issued margin calls.” However, Naveen Mathur, associate director, commodities & currencies, Angel Broking, said the persisting fall of the local unit saved local investors from a steeper fall. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy, Precious Metals ·

Dollar On The Defensive

December 12, 2011 by admin ·

The Australian dollar was subdued today as investors reacted cautiously to the latest euro zone fiscal union agreement which many doubted would fix the region’s debt woes, at least in the near term.

The Aussie had a soft tone all session and was last at $US1.0171, from $US1.0211 on Friday in New York. That was still well above 10-day lows of $US1.0048 hit at one point Friday.

While an agreement to draft a new treaty for deeper economic integration in the euro zone was achieved last week, markets were left uncertain whether and when more decisive action would be taken to stem the region’s debt crisis.

“We are still a little short of cash to back up the (IMF 200 billion euro loan) agreement and until we get it, risk assets will remain vulnerable to headlines,” said Rob Ryan, strategist at BNP Paribas in Singapore. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Economy ·

Euro Rescue Deal Gets Modest Support In Markets

December 10, 2011 by admin ·

A deal to get almost all EU countries to tie their economies closer together received some support in the markets on Friday, even though European leaders failed to reach unanimity on the plan, with Britain opposing the plan.

Following the summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed Britain was the only country in the 27-nation European Union to hold out against supporting the new treaty.

The new treaty will penalize overspending governments in a bid to avoid a repeat of Europe’s debt crisis. Germany and France, the two biggest economies in the 17-nation eurozone, had hoped to persuade the whole European Union to back a change to the current EU treaty. Britain’s refusal means they will have to settle for a new intergovernmental agreement instead. [Read more...]