tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53743139042048207032011-07-29T02:11:29.268-07:00hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comBlogger3051100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-85961138224788302192009-12-01T04:50:00.001-08:002009-12-01T04:50:09.007-08:00

Dec 1, 2009U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last Friday congressional proposals to audit the Fed and strip it of regulatory powers as part of post-crisis reforms could damage prospects for economic and financial health in the future. "These measures are very much out of step with the global consensus on the appropriate role of central banks, and they would seriously impair

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-64523623904255495332009-12-01T02:05:00.001-08:002009-12-01T02:05:08.593-08:00

Dec 1, 2009SHOPPERS spent only slightly more in stores in the United States on Black Friday - the traditional post-Thanksgiving Day shopping spree - than they did last year, according to data released on Saturday by a national research firm. Preliminary sales data from ShopperTrak RCT Corp show shoppers spent US$10.66 billion on the day after Thanksgiving - only 0.5 percent more than last

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-68193589370714018752009-11-30T05:55:00.001-08:002009-11-30T05:55:10.766-08:00

Nov 30, 2009The Obama administration, battling a foreclosure crisis that shows no signs of relenting, will step up pressure on US mortgage firms to do more to help people remain in their homes, officials said over the weekend. The administration will announce its expanded program today, Treasury spokeswoman Meg Reilly said. "We are taking additional steps to enhance transparency and

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-47206106739562350492009-11-30T03:15:00.000-08:002009-11-30T03:16:16.332-08:00

Nov 30, 2009A number of influential economists and analysts warn of a double dip recession, even as the U.S. economy slogs toward recovery. Well-known analyst Meredith Whitney, Chief Executive Officer of the Meredith Whitney advisory group, recently expressed pessimism about the economy in an interview on CNBC, a cable TV station. The economy may be headed for a "w" that is, another

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-62334660431683699632009-11-30T00:45:00.000-08:002009-11-30T00:46:17.544-08:00

Nov 30, 2009U.S. auto makers will see a very gradual recovery in demand in 2010 after their dramatic restructure while many challenges will still remain, a U.S. auto industrial expert said last Friday. Bill Russo, founder and president of Synergistics Limited and senior advisor with Booz &Company, has extensive experience in the automotive and electronics industries. When commenting

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-87877073686307888942009-11-26T07:20:00.001-08:002009-11-26T07:20:07.615-08:00

Nov 26, 2009PARTICIPANTS in the International Monetary Fund's crisis credit facility agreed to expand it by up to US$100 billion, add new contributing countries and make the facility more flexible, the IMF said on Tuesday. At a meeting in Washington, the 26 participants in the New Arrangements to Borrow, a standing loan fund for use in times of financial crisis, agreed to raise the credit

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-12863575786184322642009-11-26T06:05:00.000-08:002009-11-26T06:06:09.690-08:00

Nov 26, 2009The dollar hit its lowest mark against the yen since 1995 on Thursday, fetching 86.72-75 yen in early afternoon trading. Finance minister Hirohisa Fujii said that he would keep "a close eye" on the currency market, and that the government would take "appropriate measures" if there was abnormal activity in the markets. Earlier in the day, Senior Vice Finance Minister

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-78881629917216456482009-11-26T02:50:00.001-08:002009-11-26T02:50:08.778-08:00

Nov 26, 2009The dollar fell across the board on Wednesday as U.S. consumer spending and new home sales improved significantly, and the Federal Reserve was not overly concerned about the dollar's depreciation. Trade volume was thin ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, which exaggerated movements of currencies. U.S. consumer spending rose 0.7 percent in October, according to the Commerce

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-36087276680686763592009-11-25T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-25T07:01:30.031-08:00

Nov 25, 2009Days before the start of the traditional holiday shopping season, retailers in the United States are gearing up to entice online bargain hunters with promotions, free shipping offers and new marketing tools. Amazon.com, the country's largest online retailer, launched its Black Friday deals page Monday, saying it is offering customers "huge savings on thousands of hot holiday

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-67722259614532719552009-11-25T03:50:00.000-08:002009-11-25T03:51:12.801-08:00

Nov 25, 2009Worldwide personal computer (PC) shipments are expected to increase 2.8 percent in 2009 from last year to total 298.9 million units, showing the market is noticeably improving, U.S. information technology research firm Gartner said Monday. "Shipments in the third quarter of 2009 were much stronger than we expected, and that alone virtually guaranteed we would see positive

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-55766326397726460112009-11-25T00:40:00.001-08:002009-11-25T00:40:07.583-08:00

Nov 25, 2009The U.S. dollar was mixed against major currencies on Tuesday as latest economic data suggested a slow recovery. U.S. third-quarter GDP growth was revised down to an annualized rate of 2.8 percent from 3.5 percent previously estimated, roughly in line with consensus expectations, the Commerce Department reported on Tuesday. The major reasons for the downward revision were

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-41079983555513723842009-11-24T06:00:00.001-08:002009-11-24T06:00:17.744-08:00

Nov 24, 2009A GROUP of United States business economists boosted its forecast for the country's economic growth over the next year but said the jobless rate would remain stubbornly high, a survey released yesterday showed. The National Association for Business Economists predicted real growth in gross domestic product for 2010 would be 2.9 percent, up from its October forecast for 2.6

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-58414023704500662712009-11-24T02:20:00.001-08:002009-11-24T02:20:10.184-08:00

Nov 24, 2009INVESTORS halted a three-day losing streak on the stock market yesterday, sending prices broadly higher on a weaker dollar and better-than-expected home sales numbers. Major stock indexes soared more than 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrials, which rose 133 points to a 13-month high. Volume was thin ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, which can exaggerate the size of

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-52446544809277427282009-11-24T00:50:00.001-08:002009-11-24T00:50:07.424-08:00

Nov 24, 2009The global economy is in a holding pattern and vulnerable to more upheaval, the head of the International Monetary Fund said yesterday, adding that a lasting recovery will depend on policy makers taking the proper steps in the coming months. Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the IMF's managing director, said the top priority in rich countries should be making plans to clean up the fiscal

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-90673573059987062762009-11-23T04:00:00.000-08:002009-11-23T04:02:05.059-08:00

Nov 23, 2009Oil prices fell below US$77 a barrel yesterday on a stronger dollar and amid concern about the strength of the global economic recovery. Benchmark crude gave up 74 cents to settle at US$76.72 a barrel on the last trading day for the December contract. Crude prices for January delivery lost 58 cents to settle at US$77.47. Crude prices were dragged down by uncertainty about the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-68434925139756018232009-11-23T01:45:00.000-08:002009-11-23T01:46:09.947-08:00

Nov 23, 2009When the United States holiday shopping season kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving, retailers can expect to see millions of less frightened but even more bargain hungry customers cross their thresholds. Industry experts expect a strong turnout on Black Friday, which falls on November 27 this year, as deep discounts lure shoppers after more than a year of subdued spending.

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-14644400128568283082009-11-21T04:20:00.000-08:002009-11-21T04:21:18.236-08:00

Nov 21, 2009The Conference Board, an economic research group, said Thursday that its leading economic index (LEI)for the United States increased 0.3 percent for the seventh consecutive month in October. The LEI for the UnitedStates increased 0.3 percent in October, following a 1.0 percent gain in September, and a 0.4 percent rise in August, said the Conference Board in a report. "

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-69315037882649632632009-11-21T00:35:00.000-08:002009-11-21T00:36:06.824-08:00

Nov 21, 2009The Paris-based economic adviser Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) confirmed Thursday the economic recovery has now spread to OECD area at large and forecasted a whole growth of 1.9 percent in 2010. However, the report admitted that the OECD economy remains dragging in depression for 2009 as households and businesses need time to revive their

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-75149672326217676462009-11-20T07:05:00.000-08:002009-11-20T07:06:15.806-08:00

Nov 20, 2009A majority of investors expects the U.S. Federal Reserve to hold off from raising interest rates until the second half of 2010, according to the BofA Merrill Lynchsurvey of fund managers for November. Asked when they think the Fed will first increase rates, more than three quarters of the panel predicted the second half of 2010or beyond, one in six respondents believes the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-74873579280802967352009-11-20T04:45:00.000-08:002009-11-20T04:46:14.149-08:00

Nov 20, 2009A GLOBAL sell-off on equity markets dragged down crude prices by nearly 3 percent yesterday, the first decline this week. The price for a barrel of crude dropped by more than US$1 immediately when U.S. markets opened, with the Dow Jones industrials giving up more than points. Markets in Asia and Europe fell early in the day. Also pushing oil prices lower was a strengthening dollar

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-10610764133084819182009-11-20T01:15:00.001-08:002009-11-20T01:15:14.290-08:00

Nov 20, 2009SIGNS of a subdued U.S. economic recovery sent investors out of stocks yesterday and in search of safer assets like the dollar. Major indexes tumbled about 1 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which lost 93 points but ended well off its low. Energy and material stocks logged the biggest losses as a jump in the dollar sent commodity prices tumbling. Meanwhile, an

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-76340728322935944932009-11-19T07:00:00.000-08:002009-11-19T07:01:25.624-08:00

Nov 19, 2009Despite worries about the value of its foreign assets, China increased its holdings in United States Treasury securities in September by $1.8 billion. The increase bumps the nation's Treasury holdings to $798.9 billion from $797.1 billion in August. The latest monthly figures in the Treasury International Capital (TIC) report for September, released on Tuesday, indicates that

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-77564414731184843182009-11-19T03:25:00.001-08:002009-11-19T03:25:08.440-08:00

Nov 19, 2009OIL prices increased for the third day in a row as the dollar weakened and auto club AAA reported that more drivers are expected on America's highways next week. Benchmark crude for December delivery added 44 cents yesterday to settle at US$79.58 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Most of the trading had already passed to the January contract, which rose 38 cents to

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-13019215303515872412009-11-19T01:55:00.000-08:002009-11-19T01:56:10.529-08:00

Nov 19, 2009 CONSUMER prices in the United States edged up faster than expected last month, driven higher by another increase in energy prices and the biggest jump in new car prices in 28 years. Still, prices are lower than they were a year ago and inflation is expected to remain subdued amid a slow economic recovery. The Labor Department yesterday said consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-1459772676832696452009-11-18T02:05:00.000-08:002009-11-18T02:06:11.414-08:00

Nov 18, 2009SALES at retailers in the United States rose more than expected in October as consumers bought more motor vehicles and other goods, but the previous month's figures were revised sharply downward, a government report showed on Monday. In a report that pointed to gradual improvement in spending, the Commerce Department said total retail sales increased 1.4 percent last month, the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-89271721829067239352009-11-17T06:50:00.001-08:002009-11-17T06:50:09.585-08:00

Nov 17, 2009Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange went up sharply and set a new record high on Monday as dollar slid to another 15-month low. Silver and platinum both rallied. The most active gold contract for December delivery climbed 22.50 U.S. dollars, or 2 percent, to finish at 1,139.20 dollars an ounce. In the after-hours electronic session, the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-45527753588370296242009-11-17T04:05:00.000-08:002009-11-17T04:06:13.301-08:00

Nov 17, 2009Wall Street renewed its 2009 high on Monday due to better-than-expected retail sales and higher commodity prices resulting from a weaker dollar. The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Monday that retail sales rose 1.4 percent in October as demand for autos climbed, much higher than the 0.8-percent prediction by economists and the 2.3-percent decline in September. The reading

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-46695681367587955932009-11-17T00:50:00.000-08:002009-11-17T00:51:09.919-08:00

Nov 17, 2009Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday that the US central bank will pay attention on the depreciation of the US dollar and help ensure the dollar is strong. "We are attentive to the implications of changes in the value of the dollar and will continue to formulate policy to guard against risks to our dual mandate to foster both maximum employment and price

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-85495897362916741432009-11-16T07:50:00.000-08:002009-11-16T07:51:11.139-08:00

Nov 16, 2009Crude oil rose from a one-month low on speculation demand will increase as the global economy recovers from its worst recession since World War II.A report today in the US, the world's largest energy user, will probably show New York manufacturing expanded for a fourth month in October, based on the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Oil also rose as the dollar

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-61238453488275557142009-11-16T05:07:00.001-08:002009-11-16T05:07:52.904-08:00

Nov 16, 2009Gold climbed to an all-time high as investors stepped up purchases of the precious metal on speculation that the US dollar will extend a decline. Silver, platinum and palladium also advanced.''Investors are taking shelter in gold,'' said Wallace Ng, chief dealer with Fortis Bank in Hong Kong. ''I see gold rising to $US1,300 an ounce. It's not an unreasonable call at all if you look at

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-59193440773341708562009-11-15T06:45:00.000-08:002009-11-15T06:46:07.260-08:00

Nov 15, 2009The U.S. trade deficit increased 18.2 percent in September to 36.5 billion U.S. dollars, the highest level since January, the Commerce Department reported Friday.     The figure was more than the 31.7 billion dollars economists had expected. The key factor that drove up the trade deficit in September was foreign oil prices, which rose to their highest level in nearly a year,

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-6613672702627029722009-11-15T02:15:00.000-08:002009-11-15T02:16:13.983-08:00

Nov 15, 2009The dollar ended the week lower against major currencies as a growth of the euro zone economy boosted investors' risk appetite, which lacked support in previous sessions.     Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.4 percent in the euro zone, and by 0.2 in the 27-nation European Union (EU) during the third quarter of 2009, according to Eurostat, the statistical office of the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-58235089006959178642009-11-14T06:50:00.000-08:002009-11-14T06:51:09.009-08:00

Nov 14, 2009OIL slid yesterday to its lowest price in a month as investors started to pay more attention to a yearlong slump in American energy demand. For most of the year, oil prices surged as investors pumped money into crude contracts to protect themselves from a weakening dollar. Oil was thought of as a safe bet with demand expected to rise next year. But as crude prices doubled from

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-6810119648014329042009-11-14T03:40:00.001-08:002009-11-14T03:40:11.782-08:00

Nov 14, 2009ENCOURAGING earnings news from major retailers and The Walt Disney Co. drew investors back into the stock market one day after a big drop. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 73 yesterday after dropping 94 on Thursday. Upbeat quarterly reports yesterday from Abercrombie & Fitch Co., J.C. Penney Co. and Disney offset worries about a disappointing consumer confidence report.

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-38883383006872590352009-11-13T07:10:00.000-08:002009-11-13T07:11:07.689-08:00

Nov 13, 2009NEW claims for unemployment insurance in the United States fell more than expected last week, evidence the job market is slowly healing as the economy recovers. Still, many analysts worry the nation could be in for a "jobless recovery" as the unemployment rate rises despite some overall economic growth. The Labor Department said yesterday that first-time claims for jobless

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-12092559198476261602009-11-13T05:05:00.001-08:002009-11-13T05:05:07.219-08:00

Nov 13, 2009Pushing for tougher changes in United States financial regulations, the Senate's top banking legislator on Tuesday proposed a new super-cop to police banks, a systemic risk agency and strong consumer protection. Senator Christopher Dodd, who is fighting for his political life back home in Connecticut, unveiled a 1,136-page bill that leaps ahead of previous, more moderate

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-760413923371609422009-11-13T02:05:00.000-08:002009-11-13T02:06:16.556-08:00

Nov 13, 2009A JUMP in the U.S. energy inventories sent stocks falling yesterday as investors worried that demand for oil and gasoline is falling because of the struggling economy. Major stock indexes slid about 1 percent from 13-month highs, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which fell 94 points after six days of gains. The inventory report from the government pushed crude oil down

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-67277094406847094852009-11-13T00:30:00.000-08:002009-11-13T00:31:18.754-08:00

Nov 13, 2009OIL prices tumbled yesterday, dropping below US$77 a barrel after the government reported that petroleum supplies continue to grow as American drivers and businesses cut way back on energy use. Benchmark crude for December delivery gave up US$2.34 to settle at US$76.94 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report that

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-31515750641635516102009-11-11T05:45:00.000-08:002009-11-11T05:46:13.758-08:00

Nov 11, 2009OIL prices fell yesterday as workers headed back to deep sea platforms that were bypassed by a rapidly weakening storm in the Gulf of Mexico. Ida, once a Category 1 hurricane, was downgraded to a tropical storm Monday and then lost even that status yesterday as its winds lost their punch. Producers like Royal Dutch Shell and Anadarko reported no damage to facilities and said

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-52942891506441112682009-11-11T03:15:00.001-08:002009-11-11T03:15:16.541-08:00

Nov 11, 2009ALL but one of the 19 largest American banks have raised the extra capital cushion regulators said they would need to withstand a deeper recession. United States Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner described this as a sign of how much the financial system had improved since the crisis began. Still, the banks' capital needs were based on unrealistic economic projections. Some have

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-15158548823451735822009-11-10T03:10:00.000-08:002009-11-10T03:11:10.553-08:00

Nov 10, 2009OIL prices shot above US$80 a barrel yesterday as a weakened U.S. dollar created more turbulence in energy markets than a tropical storm heading into the Gulf of Mexico. Ida had helped push crude prices higher all morning, but just as the then-hurricane was demoted to a tropical storm, the euro pushed passed the US$1.50 level for the first time this month and sent oil even higher

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-79105244378843666132009-11-10T00:45:00.000-08:002009-11-10T00:46:09.225-08:00

Nov 10, 2009THE International Monetary Fund is exploring the idea of making banks pay insurance fees to fund any future rescues in the sector, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said on Sunday. He said such a tax would be in line with a proposal over the weekend by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who urged world governments to consider imposing a levy on banks. Strauss-Kahn,

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-2683013486370091272009-11-09T05:20:00.000-08:002009-11-09T05:21:16.300-08:00

Nov 9, 2009JUST when it was beginning to look a little better, the US economy relapsed yesterday with a return to double-digit unemployment for only the second time since World War II and warnings that next year will be even worse than previously thought. The jobless rate rocketed to 10.2 percent in October, the highest since early 1983, dealing a psychological blow to Americans as they

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-49612283101739861752009-11-09T04:10:00.001-08:002009-11-09T04:10:20.588-08:00

Nov 9, 2009OIL prices tumbled yesterday after the government said the US unemployment rate topped 10 percent for the first time since 1983. Benchmark crude for December delivery gave up US$2.19 to settle at US$77.43 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude for December delivery shed US$2.12 to settle at US$75.87 on the ICE Futures exchange. America's thirst for

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-31411397843451386362009-11-05T07:45:00.000-08:002009-11-05T07:46:08.564-08:00

Nov 5, 2009The U.S. Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that the U.S. economic activity has continued to "pick up," and decided to keep a key interest rate unchanged at a record low of between zero to 0.25 percent to prop up the economy. Information received recently suggested that "economic activity has continued to pick up," the Fed said. But it also noted that "economic activity is likely

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-27275829966391912872009-11-05T06:05:00.000-08:002009-11-05T06:06:13.826-08:00

Nov 5, 2009Global wages fell in the United States and some other wealthy nations in the second quarter of the year, raising questions about whether workers are sharing in any economic recovery, the UN labor agency said Tuesday. The International Labor Organization said inflation-adjusted wage growth fell sharply around the world last year to 1.4 percent, from 4.3 percent in 2007. It said

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-75258717885462556902009-11-05T01:15:00.000-08:002009-11-05T01:16:12.504-08:00

Nov 5, 2009Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange headed for 1,100 U.S. dollars on Wednesday, setting a new record high as dollar weakened. Silver and platinum both rose.     The most active gold contract for December delivery gained 2.40 dollars, or 0.2 percent, to finish at 1,087.30 dollars an ounce, but it rallied to a new record high of 1098.50 during the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-40998056498628115572009-11-05T00:05:00.000-08:002009-11-05T00:06:09.458-08:00

Nov 5, 2009Crude prices settled above 80 U.S. dollars a barrel on Wednesday as crude inventories dropped and the dollar weakened against a basket of currencies.     Light, sweet crude for December delivery rose 80 cents, or 1.0 percent, to settle at 80.40 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.     According to the U.S. Energy Department's Energy Information Administration (EIA

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-52858344525903452802009-11-04T02:45:00.000-08:002009-11-04T02:46:06.954-08:00

Nov 4, 2009The dollar was mixed against major currencies on Tuesday amid worries over banking sector and strong U.S. economic data.     Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc and Lloyds Banking Group Plc will receive 31.3 billion pounds (51 billion dollars) government bailout, the U.K. Treasury announced on Tuesday. Both banks agreed to sell branches and divisions to comply with aid rules.     

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-27700574943712427322009-11-04T00:10:00.000-08:002009-11-04T00:11:07.030-08:00

Nov 4, 2009OIL prices rose yesterday as the Federal Reserve began a two-day policy meeting on interest rates. Benchmark crude for December delivery gained US$1.47 to settle at US$79.60 a barrel yesterday on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The U.S. government stepped in to bail out faltering banks and other giant businesses over the past year, which has helped send the dollar tumbling and

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-8867728460904337122009-11-03T07:30:00.000-08:002009-11-03T07:31:08.239-08:00

Nov 3, 2009The International Monetary Fund announced on Monday the sale of 200 tons of gold to India's central bank, almost half the total sales volume of 403.3 tons that was approved by the Executive Board in September.     "I strongly welcome this transaction with the Reserve Bank of India," Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said in a statement. "This transaction is an important

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-62791714849329674962009-11-03T05:05:00.001-08:002009-11-03T05:05:13.456-08:00

Nov 3, 2009The dollar fell slightly against most major currencies on Monday as investors' risk appetite was boosted by strong U.S. economic reports. Worries over the U.K. banking sector drove the greenback higher against the pound.     The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) said its ISM manufacturing index rose from 52.6 in September to 55.7 in October, the highest level since April 2006.

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-49015930546865372582009-11-03T02:25:00.000-08:002009-11-03T02:26:39.162-08:00

Nov 3, 2009AFTER months on hiatus, volatility is back on Wall Street. Stocks ended higher yesterday after another day of big swings. Stronger reports on manufacturing and housing gave the market an early boost but a rise in the dollar and worries about the soundness of an eight-month rally chipped away at the gains. A late surge left the Dow Jones industrial average with a gain of 77 points

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-44958807988615342472009-11-03T00:35:00.001-08:002009-11-03T00:35:06.632-08:00

Nov 3, 2009OIL prices rose yesterday, backed by the weaker dollar and strong economic data in the U.S. and China, which raised hopes for an increase in energy demand. Benchmark crude for December delivery rose US$1.13 to settle at US$78.13 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange after shedding US$2.87 on Friday to settle at US$77. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-86134979017124998742009-11-02T05:55:00.001-08:002009-11-02T05:55:08.343-08:00

Nov 2, 2009The U.S. economy grew 3.4 percent in the third quarter for the first time in more than a year, indicating the worst recession since the 1930s may be coming to an end. But economists have also warned that the government-led growth must be replaced by growth led by private consumption in order for the recovery to be sustained.    DESPITE GOOD NEWS, WORRIES LINGER    The U.S. Commerce

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-86904649122654711322009-11-02T02:10:00.001-08:002009-11-02T02:10:08.222-08:00

Nov 2, 2009THE Royal Bank of Scotland, Northern Rock, and Lloyds Banking Group are to sell off as many as 700 branches in the next few years in exchange for the public aid they received during the economic meltdown, a government official told The Associated Press. The assets being put up for sale would be reserved for new entrants to the British banking market, effectively creating three new

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-32289115664519939002009-11-02T00:40:00.001-08:002009-11-02T00:40:08.025-08:00

Nov 2, 2009Hundreds of Wall Street executives and professionals filled into the three conference rooms of a midtown Manhattan high-rise with resumes in hands, lining up for an all-day job fair Friday. They were not there, however, to meet with representatives from Wall Street giants such as Morgan Stanley or Goldman Sachs. Instead, they were on hand to interview with federal government

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-47525012777569974282009-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:002009-10-31T08:01:21.669-07:00

October 31, 2009THE United States economy grew at a 3.5-percent pace in the third quarter, the best showing in two years, fueled by government-supported spending on cars and homes. The Commerce Department's report yesterday delivered the strongest signal yet that the economy entered a new, though fragile, phase of recovery and that the worst recession since the 1930s has ended. Many analysts

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-37675992503353382652009-10-31T05:05:00.000-07:002009-10-31T05:06:15.817-07:00

October 31, 2009STOCKS logged their best day in three months as investors rushed into the market on word the U.S. economy grew faster than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 200 points yesterday to recoup most of its losses for the week, while demand for safe-haven holdings like Treasurys wilted. The Commerce Department's report that gross domestic product rose at an annual

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-32076958919960214712009-10-31T02:45:00.001-07:002009-10-31T02:45:08.202-07:00

October 31, 2009While some think the recession fighters are already out of the woods, others argue that there could be another downturn before there is light at the end of the woods.    This question was pondered by pundits and laymen alike.    MORE ENCOURAGING DATAThe Commerce Department reported that the U.S. economy expanded3.5 percent in the third quarter after four consecutive quarters of

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-36958398969833980272009-10-30T07:45:00.000-07:002009-10-30T07:46:10.396-07:00

October 30, 2009The dollar fell against most major currencies on Thursday as U.S. economic growth was stronger than expected in the third quarter. Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew a 3.5 percent annual rate in the third quarter, stronger than most expectations, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. It was the first increase after four quarters of contraction. The report

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-37183491715725363442009-10-30T05:00:00.000-07:002009-10-30T05:01:05.418-07:00

October 30, 2009GLOBAL consumer confidence is rebounding, and in the United States it has risen for the first time since 2007, amid signs the world economy is picking up although spending is still restrained, a survey showed yesterday.Confidence was highest in India, followed by Indonesia and Norway, and was weakest in Japan, Latvia, Portugal and South Korea, although in South Korea it had

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-39548773929740233592009-10-30T03:05:00.001-07:002009-10-30T03:05:07.363-07:00

U.S. new home sales dropped unexpectedly in September as the government's tax credit for first-time home buyers is about to expire, according to official data released Wednesday. The Commerce Department said sales decreased 3.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 402,000 from the downwardly revised 417,000 in August, and slumped 7.8 percent from a year ago. The September

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-57022766169949855572009-10-30T01:40:00.001-07:002009-10-30T01:40:09.662-07:00

October 30, 2009Wall Street rallied on Thursday after the U.S. government posted a better-than-expected report on the economic growth. The U.S. Commerce Department posted that the U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 3.5 percent in the third quarter after four consecutive quarterly declines, showing a sign that the worst recession since the 1930's has ended. Consumer spending on

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-25803863676921998052009-10-29T08:30:00.001-07:002009-10-29T08:30:07.004-07:00

October 30, 2009Investors worldwide are borrowing U.S. dollars to buy assets including equities and commodities, fueling "huge" bubbles that may spark another financial crisis, said New York University professor Nouriel Roubini on Wednesday."We have the mother of all carry trades," Mr. Roubini, who predicted the banking crisis that spurred more than US$1.6-trillion of asset writedowns and credit

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-9314748039426013892009-10-29T08:10:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:11:09.595-07:00

October 29, 2009The dollar extended its gains against the euro and some other major currencies on Wednesday as safety-haven demand for the greenback improved on weak U.S. home sales data. Sales of newly constructed homes fell unexpectedly by 3.6 percent month-to-month in September to an annualized rate of 402,000 units, the Commerce Department reported on Wednesday. The estimate for

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-25039251448690639832009-10-29T05:50:00.000-07:002009-10-29T05:51:11.773-07:00

October 29, 2009Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange dropped for the fifth session on Wednesday due to a rising dollar and weak oil. Silver and platinum both fell. The most active gold contract for December delivery dropped 4.90 U.S. dollars, or 0.5 percent, to finish at 1,030.50 dollars an ounce. Dollar rose for the fourth session on Wednesday as a

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-51124989042939435982009-10-29T03:50:00.000-07:002009-10-29T03:51:11.687-07:00

October 29, 2009SIGNS of a weaker U.S. housing market and a gloomier outlook on the economy gave investors more reasons to dump stocks. Major market indexes fell sharply yesterday after the Commerce Department said new home sales dropped for the first time in five months. Sales slid 3.6 percent in September to 402,000. Analysts had expected an increase. The Dow Jones industrial average lost

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-30606604701628505452009-10-29T01:50:00.000-07:002009-10-29T01:51:07.621-07:00

October 29, 2009US President Barack Obama announced Tuesday a 3.4-billion-US-dollar grant to support the nation's historic power transmission system reform. The modernization would lead to a "smarter, stronger and more secure electric grid," Obama said after touring a solar energy center in Arcadia, Florida. The president said the effort could compare to the ambitious development of the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-62163353479463421752009-10-28T08:40:00.001-07:002009-10-28T08:40:06.537-07:00

October 28, 2009Gold fell for a fourth straight session, the longest slide since August, amid concern that the dollar will extend a rally, curbing demand for the precious metal as an alternative asset. The US dollar rose against a basket of six major currencies, adding to three consecutive advances since October 21, when it touched a 14-month low. Gold, which often moves

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-19176369076431282212009-10-28T06:25:00.001-07:002009-10-28T06:25:09.366-07:00

October 28, 2009The dollar rose against the euro but fell against the pound on Tuesday amid weak U.S. consumer confidence and strong U.K. retail sales data. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index tumbled by 5.7 points to 47.7 in October. The present situation index dropped by 2.3 points to hit a 26-year low of 20.7. The expectations index collapsed by 8.0 points to 65.7. Buying

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-20165963324776970602009-10-28T03:45:00.001-07:002009-10-28T03:45:07.760-07:00

October 28, 2009CRUDE oil prices rebounded yesterday after three straight days of declines, offsetting an unexpected slump in consumer confidence. Benchmark crude for December delivery rose 87 cents to settle at US$79.55 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude jumped to a 12-month high at US$82 a barrel last week as the dollar weakened amid concerns that massive global stimulus

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-30339160583770211422009-10-28T01:10:00.000-07:002009-10-28T01:11:11.719-07:00

October 28, 2009U.S. stocks mostly fell yesterday as mixed reports on home prices and consumer confidence gave investors little incentive to step into the market. A decision by IBM Corp. to double its stock-repurchase plan propped up the Dow Jones industrials, but the Nasdaq composite index slid after Baidu Inc., the Chinese Internet search company, warned its revenue could take a hit as it

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-84266883143711021972009-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:002009-10-27T05:06:24.759-07:00

THE crude rally hit the brakes yesterday with a barrel of oil tumbling more than 2 percent, as the dollar strengthened after hitting a 14-month low. Benchmark crude for December delivery fell US$1.82 to settle at US$78.68 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. PFGBest analyst Phil Flynn said weakness in the U.S. dollar has driven the price of oil far beyond the realities of what normal

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-86383778698495096672009-10-27T03:05:00.001-07:002009-10-27T04:49:08.861-07:00

October 27, 2009A STRENGTHENING dollar and worries about an overheated market pounded stocks yesterday.Shares started the day higher but turned sharply lower at midmorning as interest rates rose and a rebound in the value of the dollar stalled a rally in commodities. Early gains in prices for oil and other commodities had pushed up shares of energy and materials companies.The sharp swings in

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-90842380508753447602009-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:002009-10-25T08:46:06.766-07:00

October 25, 2009SALES of previously owned homes in the United States rose in September to the highest level in more than two years, beating expectations, as buyers scrambled to complete their purchases before a tax credit for first-time owners expires. The National Association of Realtors said yesterday that sales rose 9.4 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.57 million in

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-7555351077801824022009-10-25T07:50:00.000-07:002009-10-25T07:51:07.280-07:00

October 25, 2009 Crude oil has breached a key resistance level of $US76.28 a barrel, giving it the "capacity" to rise to just under $US90 based on Fibonacci retracements, ANZ analysts said.Oil, which is trading near a one-year high in New York, is "taking a pause" to consolidate before moving up toward $US89.85 a barrel, said Geoff Clear, the Singapore-based head of Asian commodities at ANZ."We

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-53827905848511166462009-10-25T05:05:00.001-07:002009-10-25T05:05:06.591-07:00

October 25, 2009The United States my lose its AAA-rating if it can not control its deficit hike, rating agency Moody's Investors Service warned on Thursday.     Steven Hess, Moody's lead analyst for the United States, said in a TV interview that the AAA rating of the United States is "not guaranteed." He said if the U.S. deficit does not drop to a sustainable level in the next three to four

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-47058906364011017022009-10-25T03:00:00.000-07:002009-10-25T03:01:16.635-07:00

October 25, 2009THE number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits in the United States rose more than expected last week, after falling in five of the past six weeks, as employers remain reluctant to hire even with the economy showing signs of recovery. The Labor Department yesterday said new jobless claims rose to a seasonally adjusted 531,000 last week, from an

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-89988215611438982122009-10-24T08:40:00.000-07:002009-10-24T08:41:08.202-07:00

October 24, 2009The cascade of bank failures this year surpassed 100 on Friday, the most in nearly two decades. And the trouble in the banking system from bad loans and the recession goes even deeper than the number suggests.Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other banks remain open even though they are as weak as many that have been shuttered. Regulators are seizing banks slowly and selectively —

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-27321887522255372102009-10-24T05:10:00.000-07:002009-10-24T05:11:11.989-07:00

October 24, 2009The Treasury Department on Thursday is expected to order seven companies that have not paid back last year's government bailouts to halve their top executives' average compensation. The cuts apply to the 25 highest-paid executives at banks and other companies that received the most assistance, with salaries being slashed by as much as 90 percent, according to a person

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-48945851505549759532009-10-24T04:45:00.000-07:002009-10-24T04:46:08.541-07:00

October 24, 2009Economic conditions in the United States showed "modest" improvement, with residential real estate and manufacturing leading the early stages of the economic recovery, the Federal Reserve (Fed) said on Wednesday in its latest survey on business conditions around the nation.    The snapshot of economic conditions found that most Federal Reserve districts "indicated either

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-12065969284921922372009-10-24T02:35:00.001-07:002009-10-24T02:35:08.117-07:00

October 24, 2009The U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve on Thursday unveiled a set of rules to slash excessive executive compensation in a move to comfort the furor over executive pay at companies bailed out with taxpayer money.ROLE OF PAY CZARAccording to the order released by the Treasury Department, seven firms that received the most federal aid, namely Bank of America Corp., American

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-70730514006358372902009-10-23T07:05:00.000-07:002009-10-23T07:06:08.733-07:00

October 23, 2009The Midwest is starting to see a comeback in manufacturing and technology. Home sales are rising in parts of the Northeast. But states like Florida, Nevada and California, still suffering from the housing bust, remain depressed.The economy's tentative recovery is occurring in pockets around the country, with some states and cities starting to rebound while neighboring areas still

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-12404107563786612152009-10-23T05:05:00.000-07:002009-10-23T05:06:13.997-07:00

October 23, 2009Wall Street rallied on Thursday, as better-than-estimated earnings from Travelers Cos., AT&T Inc. and McDonald's Corp. overshadowed a bigger-than-forecast increase in jobless claims.     Upbeat earnings from Dow components, such as AT&T Inc., Travelers Cos. and McDonald's Corp., boosted the Dow Jones average.     AT&T Inc., the biggest U.S. phone company, climbed more than 1

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-87063965697578741272009-10-23T04:20:00.001-07:002009-10-23T04:20:09.403-07:00

October 23, 2009The dollar rose slightly against major currencies on Thursday amid a strong leading economic index and weaker-than-expected job data.     The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the U.S. increased 1.0 percent in September, following a 0.4 percent gain in August. It was the six consecutive gain of the index, which intended to forecast economic activities in the

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-54922143985530357092009-10-23T02:10:00.000-07:002009-10-23T02:11:09.668-07:00

October 23, 2009OIL prices fell from a one-year high yesterday as a rise in new US jobless claims sent investors seeking safer havens. US crude oil futures settled down 18 cents at US$81.19 a barrel, after touching a one-year high of US$82 a barrel on Wednesday. In London, Brent crude fell 18 cents to US$79.51 a barrel. The number of American workers filing new jobless claims rose by 11,000

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-91717247150427542332009-10-22T08:50:00.000-07:002009-10-22T08:51:07.469-07:00

October 22, 2009The World Bank (WB) said on Tuesday that 89 million more people would live under the international poverty line due to the unprecedented economic crisis.     WB Vice President and Chief Economist Justin Yifu Lin said those people would join the under-poverty-line group by 2010 which already has 1.4 billion people.     Lin, who attended the international conference themed "

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-58006137759226926152009-10-22T06:05:00.000-07:002009-10-22T06:06:10.438-07:00

October 22, 2009US stocks fell yesterday, hurt by a late sell-off in financial shares after an influential bank analyst recommended selling Wells Fargo shares and a wider-than-expected loss from Boeing disappointed investors. For most of the session, stocks had traded higher as the US dollar's weakness underpinned shares of natural resources companies, while results from Morgan Stanley and

hl-investmenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11769047767704868635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5374313904204820703.post-4103068024947199952009-10-22T03:35:00.000-07:002009-10-22T03:36:10.577-07:00

October 22, 2009OIL jumped more than 3 percent toward US$82 a barrel yesterday, its highest level in a year, due to a drawdown in US refined oil inventories and as a rise in US equities showed optimism about the economy and a potential rebound in energy demand. Weekly data from the Energy Information Administration revealed a larger-than-expected 2.3-million-barrel draw in gasoline stocks

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October 22, 2009Members of the Bank of Japan (BOJ) expressed hesitation that the global economic recovery could maintain its momentum, according to minutes from BOJ's September policy meeting released on Monday.     "Many members ... said that the pace and sustainability of overseas economic recovery -- after inventory adjustments had been completed and the initial effects of the policy

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October 21, 2009US consumer sentiment fell unexpectedly this month, tempering optimism inspired by news of a rise in US industrial production in September for a third consecutive month. The two reports released on Friday suggest the US economy may have closed out the third quarter with surprisingly strong growth but still faces huge hurdles since consumer spending is unlikely to

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October 21, 2009Global information technology (IT) spending is expected to return to growth in 2010, leaving the worst year ever behind, market research firm Gartner said on Monday.     According to Gartner's latest forecasts, worldwide IT spending next year will climb to 3.3 trillion U.S. dollars, a 3.3-percent increase compared with 2009.     Gartner also predicted that global IT spending

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October 21, 2009OIL fell yesterday after hitting a one-year high over US$80 a barrel, as disappointing US data on housing starts and inflation weighed on markets. New construction of US homes rose less than expected in September, while US producer prices declined unexpectedly, largely due to a drop in energy prices. US crude for November delivery fell US$1.45 to US$78.16 a barrel at 12:34

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October 21, 2009US stocks retreated from 12-month highs yesterday as disappointing housing and inflation data prompted investors to book recent gains despite strong results from bellwethers including Apple and Caterpillar. New construction of US homes rose less than expected in September and US producer prices posted an unexpected decline, both pointing to an anemic economic recovery.

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October 20, 2009The U.S. government announced Monday a new initiative to boost the housing market, helping support low mortgage rates and expanding resources for low and middle income borrowers to buy or rent homes. According to a report released by the Treasury Department, the new plan includes two parts: a new bond purchase program to support new lending by housing finance agencies (HFAs)

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October 20, 2009Oil prices rose more than 1 percent toward US$80 a barrel yesterday as stronger company earnings raised optimism about the economy, outweighing weak fundamentals. US crude for November delivery settled up US$1.08 at US$79.61, the highest settlement since October 13, 2008. London Brent crude rose 78 cents to settle at US$77.77. "We have been tagging along with equities,

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October 20, 2009US stocks rose to fresh 12-month highs yesterday as optimistic investors rode a wave of solid quarterly earnings, which continued after the session's close when Apple Inc's shares jumped on its results. Earnings from companies, including Gannett Co Inc, which beat analysts' expectations, and positive broker commentary on Caterpillar Inc further encouraged investors looking

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October 20, 2009There is something about coming to this sun-baked corner of California that feels like inspecting the scene of a crime.Riverside, part of the thickly populated area known as the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles, has become synonymous with all the worst lending and spending practices of a property boom that busted and pushed the world's No. 1 economy into its longest slump since

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October 19, 2009The British economy has shown signs of recovery, and it is expected to get over the recession within the year but the rebound will be slow and weak.     Official figures showed last week that the number of jobless people in Britain has fallen for the first time since the spring of last year -- an unexpected evidence of labor market resilience in the worst recession in decades

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