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Finance

Hyperloop News

Just seen this update tweeted by Elon Musk about him receiving ‘verbal’ government approval to build hyperloop on America’s East Coast. Science Fiction becoming science fact. Shouldn’t the UK government look at this idea for the HS2?

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Finance

ECB Monetary Policy Meeting

No change! EU interest rates remain unchanged at 0% – next ECB monetary policy decision on: 7th September 2017 No changes to stimulus programme. Euro rallied on this news. ECB monetary policy statement

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Finance

Sunshine for UK retail sales

Latest retail sales statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) were better than expected for June, thanks to the hot weather. Sales volumes were up, lifted by clothing sales and fans no doubt. Good results for the retail industry in general.

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Finance

More highs for US Indices

The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ reached record highs yesterday (19/07/17). S&P500 at 2473 & the NASDAQ at 6385 The DOW 30, S&P500 and the NASDAQ Composite are all holding at record high levels. I know we are in the middle of US reporting season and we have seen some …

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Finance

Oil up!

Oil prices are up today. Brent crude is close to $49.04 a barrel and US oil price is at $46.70 (West Texas Intermediate). US oil inventory is due for release on Wednesday (19/07/17).

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Finance

To bank or not to bank holiday

If this is correct – I should be annoyed really… but it just doesn’t surprise me at all! Apparently, it has been reported (allegedly) that the UK’s BREXIT secretary (create your own job if there isn’t one for you, Mr David Davis) doesn’t want to work on August bank holiday …

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Finance

Credit Card Surcharges to end

Card surcharges have really bugged me for ages and the announcement today is welcome news. It has never made sense to me that you can be charged for using your card, it should be free – (other than interest that is, but that’s another issue – always clear the balance …

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Finance

Is there a leak?

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) yesterday announced UK inflation figures. Just before these figures were released I was watching my screens as usual and writing my next post for Business Bob Blog and noticed the pound fall against the dollar and the FTSE 100 go up pretty much at …

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Finance

US Healthcare Gridlock

The US dollar has fallen again following news that the Republicans have had to postpone repealing and replacing the affordable Healthcare Act or Obamacare as it has become known. Apparently, the Republicans no longer have enough support in their own party for a clear senate majority. This is yet another …

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Finance

UK House price growth slows

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show house price growth has continued to slow – but the cost of the average UK home still increased. The average UK house price for May 2017 is £221,000

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Markets
FTSE 100 companies going ex dividend this week

FTSE 100 companies going ex dividend this week on 28th September 2017… Worldpay Group PLC (WPG) Intertek Group PLC (ITRK) Smurfit Kappa Group PLC (SKG) Morrison (Wm) Supermarkets PLC Hargreaves Lansdown PLC  

Markets
Federal Reserve meeting update

Federal Reserve meeting update. The Federal Reserve on Wednesday (20/09/17) announced it will start reducing the size of its balance sheet. At something like $4.5 trillion it will now, after nine years finally start reducing the balance in October 2017 on a monthly basis. US interest rates were held at …

Markets
Dow Jones Industrial Average up again

Dow Jones Industrial Average up again I don’t know how many more times I will report on the rise of the Dow but it did it yet again yesterday (19/09/17). A new high was reached and at close the DJIA was: 22370 The outcome of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting …

Markets
Record breakers

Record breakers. The record breaking highs just keep on coming as the Dow Jones Industrial Average yet again sets another record high on 18/09/17. The Dow Jones closed up at: 22331 The S&P 500 closed up at: 2503 The NASDAQ closed up at: 6454 For how much longer can these …

Markets
Dow Jones flying high again

Dow Jones flying high again New record high set by the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The DJIA closed up at: 22268 – yet another new record high!

Markets
FTSE 100 companies going ex dividend this week

FTSE 100 companies going ex dividend this week on Thursday 21st September 2017 Old Mutual PLC (OML) Taylor Wimpey PLC (TW.    

Markets
Sterling continues upward march

Sterling continues upward march. The pound bashed through $1.36 against the dollar on Friday (am 15/09/17) as the FTSE 100 falls back. Will it hold on to these gains?  

Investing
J D Wetherspoon reports

J D Wetherspoon reports. End of year accounts from J D Wetherspoon report sales and profits up! Profit before tax is reported at: £102.8 million (up from £80.60 million in 2016). Sales up by: 4% (like-for-like). Where else can you get such good value? J D Wetherspoon PLC (JDW) is …

Markets
Asian stock markets end the week subdued

Asian stock markets end the week subdued Investors appear to largely shrug off the latest provocation from North Korea as another missile is fired over Japan. Japan’s NIKKEI index closed up to end the week at: 19909 and South Korea’s KOSPI index closed up at: 2386. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng …