Spread Betting: Banking Shares Fall Ahead of Stress Test Results

In a fairly listless session as come to the close of Q1 European equities have struggled for direction ahead of the results of the Irish banks stress tests, which are due to be released later today, after the close. Unsurprisingly the banking sector is amongst the largest fallers after Anglo Irish Bank reported record losses [...]

Pound Rallies in the Forex Markets on Upbeat Housing Data

This morning, forex markets are showing some restraint ahead of tomorrow’s Non Farm Payroll data from the US. There is also the release of the results from the Irish bank stress tests due today. The latter could present a big unknown, especially if the Irish government uses the results as a springboard to impose losses [...]

Stock Indices: FTSE Rallies on Miners Strength

European stock indices pushed higher to new three week highs today as traders continued to buy into stocks helping the FTSE, DAX and CAC all post gains of between 0.4%-1%. The FTSE 100 has now gained for six sessions in a row and whilst this may paint a rather rosy picture, I would sound a [...]

FX Markets: Euro Weakens Ahead of Irish Bank Stress Tests

This morning, the euro is weaker ahead of Thursday’s release of the Irish bank stress tests and ongoing credit worries in peripheral Europe. The EUR/USD is down 0.22%, though with the US dollar generally weaker, the EUR/GBP’s 0.42% drop is more indicative of the euro’s poor performance this morning. The Swiss franc is also down [...]

Euro Rallies in the FX Markets as ECB Rate Hike Looks Imminent

This morning the euro continues to power higher with traders confident that the trouble in the Eurozone periphery will be contained and is manageable. This trouble appeared to a potential roadblock for an ECB rate hike, but judging by the recent comments from ECB members, the European Central Bank appears quite set on increasing interest [...]

Spread Betting: Indices Move Towards Key Resistance Levels

Last week, indices moved higher and started to re-test upper resistance levels. The recent moves have certainly caused some uncertainty what the markets will see next. Depending on what time frame you look at, you can see both bullish and bearish trends. This suggests that spread betting investors should soon see a signal as to [...]

Spread Betting: Rising Oil Prices Weigh on Retail Sales

The Spread Betting Markets – Last Week: Geopolitical concerns continue driving oil prices higher despite an international effort to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. While this downside pressure has largely been priced into equity markets, fuel concerns were again highlighted in Thursday’s worse-than-expected UK retail sales figures, coming in at -0.8%. Although high street [...]

FX: Renewed Concerns about Ireland and Portugal Weigh on the Euro

The euro is weaker this morning on weekend speculation surrounding Ireland and Portugal, though traders have lifted it off the lows of the day. The EUR/USD is down 0.18%, with the EUR/JPY up 0.25%. The yen continues to weaken in the FX markets with the USD/JPY up 0.47%, the GBP/JPY up 0.24% and the AUD/JPY [...]

Spread Betting Guide to Speculating on Bank of America Shares

Where to Spread Bet on Bank of America You can trade on spread betting markets such as Bank of America with spread betting companies like: CapitalSpreads Spreadex CMCMarkets To see which companies offer 24 hour trading, new account offers, stop losses and trading charts see Spread Betting Companies. How to Spread Bet on [...]

Spread Trading Guide to Speculating on AT and T Shares

Where to Spread Bet on AT&T You can trade on spread betting markets such as AT&T with spread betting companies like: IG Index Spreadex City Index To see which companies offer 24 hour trading, new account offers, stop losses and trading charts see Spread Betting Companies. How to Spread Bet on AT&T [...]