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Markets: The week that was (30/01-03/02/2012)

A largely positive week on the FTSE 100 saw it post comfortable triple-digit gains, as positive economic data from the UK and US outweighed ongoing concerns over the Greek debt deal.

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Features

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12 rules to beat the markets
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 17:17

Mike McCudden meets day-trading veteran David Rogerson and discovers how his 12 golden rules helped him to play with someone else's money and hit the jackpot.

Stock to Watch: Walker Greenbank
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 08:57

With management showing both manufacturing and marketing skill, recessionary times ought to be useful for accumulating shares in luxury wallpaper company Walker Greenbank, says Edmond Jackson.

A market surge is as likely as muddle or mayhem
Thu, 02/02/2012 - 12:36

It could go either way: stockmarkets are poised either for an almighty crash or a sudden surge. Then again, markets could also continue to reflect the 'muddle through' scenario, where policymakers, particularly those involved in attempting to solve the eurozone crisis, do just enough to keep investors sweet.

News

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The week ahead...
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 17:28

A busy five days on the corporate calendar will bring updates from corporate giants including BP and GlaxoSmithKline, plus a torrent of economic data. See what's in store...

US job figures smash expectations
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 14:21

All-important US non-farm payroll data was better than expected on Friday, with the US economy recording a seventh consecutive month of gains.

Broadband performance boosts BT
Fri, 03/02/2012 - 11:03

Having managed to negotiate a variety of economic headwinds, BT Group released positive results, buoyed by the strong performance of its broadband-providing Openreach division.

Blogs

Richard Beddard
Richard Beddard

Richard is companies and markets editor of Interactive Investor and writes the Share Sleuth and Nifty Thrifty columns for Money Observer magazine. A keen private investor through his Self Invested Personal Pension, he manages a virtual portfolio of deep value shares, The Thrifty 30, and documents every decision in his blog.

  • The unacceptable face of retail
    Fri, 03/02/2012 - 10:50

    All about equity cash flow
    With origins in mail-order, N Brown, which is mostly a women’s fashion retailer, may be adjusting to 21st century retailing more easily than its peers.
    Some stats from Sharelockholmes.com:

    Name
    Cap £’m
    PB
    ROE%
    ROE3%
    ROE5%
    ROE10%
    E/A%
    EY10

    N Brown
    653
    1.8
    20
    21
    22
    19
    49
    11

  • Two minute Titon
    Wed, 01/02/2012 - 11:16

    A two minute monologue
    What it does: window furniture and ventilation systems
    Titon manufactures (67% of 2011 turnover) and distributes window handles, hinges, vents, locks, and home ventilation systems. It has factories in Suffolk and South Korea. Its main market is the UK (80% of 2011 turnover). It also sells in Northern Europe and South Korea through a joint venture with a local distributor.

The Colonel
The Colonel

The Colonel knows his onions. Retired from the military with grown up children, this super-savvy empty-nester divides his time between walking the dogs, the golf and/or race course and hunting down great investment propositions. With his personal motto of Sinil Labore Nihil (or, roughly, Do Your Own Research for those without a Google translator) The Colonel spends more time on the web with ‘sharpener’ in hand than almost anyone else. And being a Colonel of course, he just can’t keep it to himself...

  • Blow the whistle on bank-ball. Buy the stock instead
    Wed, 01/02/2012 - 11:00

    HQ: 1 February

    I was drifting off after the end of the final episode of 'Birdsong', when out of the mist from a couple of glasses of Macon Lugny I was yanked from slumber by the jerky tones of Robert Peston, telling me Stephen Hester had bowed to political and public pressure and waived his bonus share incentive scheme valued at £963,000.

  • How to cash in on the foreign invasion

    Wed, 18/01/2012 - 11:48

    HQ: 18 January

    I confess that I feel torn. A fellow such as myself has a strong patriotic streak. I am proud of my country. Despite all its shortcomings, Britain is my chosen home and I wouldn't consider living anywhere else. And yes, as I survey the financial world and ponder my modest portfolio of investments, I cannot avoid having my judgment infected by my love of dear old Blighty.

Peter Temple
Peter Temple

Peter Temple was an equity analyst for 18 years. In the decades since he quit the City he has been a widely published journalist and author. Here we get straight to the wisdom from the man who makes his living from investing.

  • ETF Portfolio: No need to be defensive
    Wed, 18/01/2012 - 17:18

    In the two months and 10 days since I last commented on this notional portfolio of exchange traded funds, not much seems to have changed. Greece is still teetering on the edge of default, major sovereign bond issuers have been downgraded by at least one credit rating agency, and UK retailers are still going to the wall.

  • Bond portfolio: Grid and income rescues performance
    Fri, 13/01/2012 - 12:52

    I have hesitated to update the bond portfolio during the height of the eurozone crisis, given the portfolio's holding in the eurozone high yield bond ETF.

Commodities News

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Fri, 03/02/2012 - 10:55

Vane soars on "encouraging" drill results

Shares in Vane Minerals received a boost as the company confirmed drilling results were "encouraging" at the McGhee Peak project in New Mexico.

Economic news

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Fri, 03/02/2012 - 14:21

US job figures smash expectations

All-important US non-farm payroll data was better than expected on Friday, with the US economy recording a seventh consecutive month of gains.

Business News

Fri, 03/02/2012 - 11:03

Broadband performance boosts BT

Having managed to negotiate a variety of economic headwinds, BT Group released positive results, buoyed by the strong performance of its broadband-providing Openreach division.

Fri, 03/02/2012 - 00:00

What's in store today...

BT Group is the blue-chip company to look out for when it reports its third-quarter results on Friday, while investors will also be keeping an eye on January's service sector purchasing managers' survey.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 11:14

Big pharma duo advise caution

Despite cautionary outlook statements by both AstraZeneca and Smith & Nephew, investors cheered shares in the latter, while AstraZeneca shares lingered in the doldrums.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 09:47

Facebook unveils $5 billion IPO

After days of intense speculation Facebook has unveiled its plans for a $5 billion initial public offering, filing papers with the Securities and Exchange Commission late on Wednesday.

Thu, 02/02/2012 - 00:00

What's in store today...

Thursday sees a number of heavyweights reporting, including Royal Dutch Shell, AstraZeneca and Unilever. See what else is coming up in the next 24 hours...

Wed, 01/02/2012 - 12:45

Imperial Tobacco reports strong sales momentum

Imperial Tobacco said its current performance is set to meet ambitious expectations for the financial year to October 2012, with strong sales momentum in emerging markets.

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Saturday 4 February 2012