Monday 30 April 2012

April 30, 2012 Financial Market Summary


DJIA edged up 0.2% to end at 13,228.3. NASDAQ rose 0.6% to settle at 3, 069.2. S&P 500 ticked 0.2% up to close at 1,403.4.
Markets in Japan are closed on account of a public holiday.

FTSE 100 gained 0.5% to settle at 5,777.1.
FTSEurofirst 300 index added 0.7% to 1,051.5.

In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading 0.2% or $0.19 lower at $104.74 per barrel.
At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% higher against the USD at $1.6279, 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.2296, and 0.3% lower against the JPY at ¥130.43.

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Friday 27 April 2012

April 27, 2012 Financial Market Summary


DJIA climbed 0.9% to end at 13,204.6. NASDAQ rose 0.7% to settle at 3,050.6. S&P 500 advanced 0.7% to close at 1,400.0.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.1% lower at 9,551.1.

FTSE 100 rose 0.5% to end at 5,748.7.

FTSEurofirst 300 index added 0.2% to 1,044.3.

In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading 0.41% or $0.43 lower at $104.12 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally higher against the USD at $1.6184, 0.1% lower against the EUR at €1.2258, and 0.2% lower against the JPY at ¥130.88.

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Thursday 26 April 2012

April 26, 2012 Financial Market Summary

DJIA added 0.7% to settle at 13,090.7. NASDAQ surged 2.3% to close at 3,029.6. S&P 500 rallied 1.4% to end at 1,390.7.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.1% higher at 9,571.6.

FTSE 100 edged up 0.2% to close at 5,718.9.

FTSEurofirst 300 index added 1.0% to end at 1,042.6.

In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading marginally lower at $104.07 per barrel.
At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.6173, marginally lower against the EUR at €1.2225, and 0.2% lower against the JPY at ¥131.26.

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Wednesday 25 April 2012

April 25, 2012 Financial Market Summary


DJIA added 0.6% to settle at 13,001.6. NASDAQ slid 0.3% to close at 2,961.6. S&P 500 edged up 0.4% to end at 1,372.0.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.8% higher at 9,546.7.
FTSE 100 gained 0.8% to settle at 5,709.5.

FTSEurofirst 300 index added 1.1% to end at 1,032.5.
In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading 0.2% or $0.19 higher at $103.74 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.6142, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.2236, and 0.1% higher against the JPY at ¥131.54.

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Tuesday 24 April 2012

April 24, 2012 Financial Market Summary


DJIA lost 0.8% to settle at 12,927.2. NASDAQ shed 1.0% to close at 2,970.5. S&P 500 fell 0.8% to end at 1,366.9.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.4% lower at 9,506.8.
FTSE 100 dropped 1.8% to close at 5,665.6.

FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 2.3% to end at 1,021.8.
In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading marginally lower at $103.08 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally higher against the USD at $1.6123, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.2260, and 0.2% lower against the JPY at ¥130.48.

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Monday 23 April 2012

[IMF] Accounting Devices and Fiscal Illusions

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently published a discussion note entitled Accounting Devices and Fiscal Illusions outlining the extent to which fiscal agents in some advanced economies have used accounting practices to disguise the true picture of fiscal policy and its reporting in those countries.

It is particularly relevant to Barbados given what transpired in fiscal year 2011/2012 when the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) directly financed the day-to-day operations of the University of the West Indies, Barbados Transport Board and the Barbados Tourism Authority. This allowed the central government to report a reduced fiscal (current account) deficit. However, when we account for the fact that NIS along with the central government and several other non-financial statutory corporations all form the general government sector, then the lending by NIS must be viewed as direct spending by the central government since repayment of the loans will come from central government revenue in a future time period.

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Inflation: When Perception meets Reality!!


This article briefly looks at the effect of the current Retail Price Index (RPI) weights on the calculation of inflation in Barbados with particular reference to the impact of Fuel & Light.
The Barbados Statistical Service (BSS) has periodically rebased the RPI and its weights (October 1965, March 1980, May 1994, July 2001) and by our estimation should have rolled out a revised RPI sometime ago.
We have therefore conducted a series of simulations  to determine what is a more realistic set of RPI weights (October 2008) that in our view better reflects the evolution of energy prices over the last 10 years.  We also briefly examine the prospects for economic growth in the context of both the BSS estimated inflation and our simulated results.
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April 23, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA gained 0.5% to settle at 13,029.3. NASDAQ edged 0.2% lower to close at 3,000.5. S&P 500 edged up 0.1% to end at 1,378.5.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.3% lower at 9,533.5.

FTSE 100 rallied 0.5% to end at 5,772.2.

FTSEurofirst 300 index added 0.5% to end at 1,046.1.
In Asia, crude oil for June delivery is trading marginally lower at $103.85 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.6119, 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.2219, and 0.3% lower against the JPY at ¥131.02.

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Friday 20 April 2012

April 20, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA slipped 0.5% to close at 12,964.1. NASDAQ lost 0.8% to settle at 3,007.6. S&P 500 slid 0.6% to finish at 1,376.9.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.4% lower at 9,548.1.
FTSE 100 slid marginally to close at 5,744.6.

FTSEurofirst 300 index dropped 0.5% to end at 1,040.8.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.4% or $0.45 higher at $102.72 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.6049, marginally lower against the EUR at €1.2213, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥130.92.

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Thursday 19 April 2012

April 19, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA slipped 0.6% to close at 13,032.8. NASDAQ edged down 0.4% to settle at 3,031.5. S&P 500 inched 0.4% lower to finish at 1,385.1.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.6% lower at 9,612.4.
FTSE 100 edged 0.4% lower to 5,745.3.

FTSEurofirst 300 index dropped 0.7% to end at 1,046.2.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading marginally higher at $102.70 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% higher against the USD at $1.6032, 0.1% higher against the EUR at €1.2219, and 0.3% higher against the JPY at ¥130.634.

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Wednesday 18 April 2012

April 18, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA gained 1.5% to close at 13,115.5. NASDAQ surged 1.8% to settle at 3,042.8. S&P 500 soared 1.5% to finish at 1,390.8.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.7% higher at 9,622.4.

FTSE 100 surged 1.8% to close at 5,767.0.

FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 2.0% to end at 1,053.1.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.18% or $0.19 higher at $104.39 per barrel.
At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5920, 0.1% higher against the EUR at €1.2142, and 0.3% higher against the JPY at ¥129.57.

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Tuesday 17 April 2012

April 17, 2012
Financial Market Summary

DJIA closed 0.6% higher at 12,921.4. NASDAQ ended 0.8% lower at 2,988.4. S&P 500 closed 0.1%lower at 1,369.6.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.2% higher at 9,487.6.

FTSE 100 edged up 0.3% to close at 5,666.3.

FTSEurofirst 300 index advanced 0.5% to end at 1,032.4.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading marginally higher at $102.94 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5888, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.2114, and 0.1% higher against the JPY at ¥127.88.
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Monday 16 April 2012

April 16, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA slumped 1.1% to close at 12,849.6. NASDAQ tumbled 1.4% to settle at 3,011.3. S&P 500 plunged 1.2% to finish at 1,370.3.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.4% lower at 9,498.7.

FTSE 100 dropped 1.0% to close at 5,651.8.

FTSEurofirst 300 index lost 1.6% to end at 1,027.7.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.6% or $0.63 lower at $102.20 per barrel.
At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5831, 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.2153, and 0.4% lower against the JPY at ¥128.07.

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April 13, 2012
Financial Market Summary

DJIA closed 1.4% higher at 12,986.6. NASDAQ ended 1.3% higher at 3,055.6. S&P 500 closed 1.4% higher at 1,387.6.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.3% higher at 9,644.2.

FTSE 100 rallied 1.3% to close at 5,710.5.

FTSEurofirst 300 index gained 1.0% to end at 1,044.2.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.3% or $0.34 lower at $103.30 per barrel.
At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5942, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.2105, and 0.1% higher against the JPY at ¥129.27.

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Thursday 12 April 2012

April 12, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA closed 0.7% higher at 12,805.4. NASDAQ ended 0.8% higher at 3,016.5. S&P 500 closed 0.7% higher at 1,368.7.
Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.1% higher at 9,470.5.

FTSE 100 rose 0.7% to close at 5,634.7. FTSEurofirst 300 index gained 0.7% to end at 1,033.8.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.1% or $0.10 lower at $102.60 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally higher against the USD at $1.5928, 0.1% lower against the EUR at €1.2122, and 0.1% lower against the JPY at ¥128.91.
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Wednesday 11 April 2012

April 11, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA closed 1.7% lower at 12,715.9. NASDAQ ended 1.8% lower at 2,991.2. S&P 500 closed 1.7% lower at 1,358.6.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.0% lower at 9,445.1.
FTSE 100 fell 2.2% to close at 5,595.6.

FTSEurofirst 300 index lost 2.5% to end at 1,026.2.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.2% or $0.24 higher at $101.26 per barrel.

At 0500 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% higher against the USD at $1.5871, marginally higher against the EUR at €1.2128, and 0.2% higher against the JPY at ¥128.22.

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Tuesday 10 April 2012

April 10, 2012
Financial Market Summary
DJIA closed 1.0% lower at 12,929.6. NASDAQ ended 1.1% lower at 3,047.1. S&P 500 closed 1.1% lower at 1,382.2.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.8% higher at 9,620.2.
UK markets were closed yesterday.

Other European markets were closed yesterday.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.2% or 22 cents higher at $102.68 per barrel.

At 0500 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% higher against the USD at $1.5928, 0.1% lower against the EUR at €1.2121, and 0.2% higher against the JPY at ¥130.18.
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Monday 9 April 2012

April 09, 2012
Financial Market Summary
FTSE 100 gained 0.3% to close at 5,723.7.

FTSEurofirst 300 index rose 0.1% to close at 1,052.2.

DJIA lost 0.1% to end at 13,060.1. NASDAQ gained 0.4% to close at 3,080.5. S&P 500 shed 0.1% to end at 1,398.1.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.1% lower at 9,585.9.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading $1.25 lower at $102.06 per barrel.

At 0400 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally lower against the USD at $1.5867, 0.2% higher against the EUR at €1.2148, and 0.2% lower against the JPY at ¥129.33.

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Thursday 5 April 2012

April 05, 2012
Financial Market Summary
FTSE 100 tumbled 2.3% to close at 5,703.8.

FTSEurofirst 300 index fell 2.0%, to close at 1,051.0.
DJIA lost 0.9% to end at 13,074.8. NASDAQ slumped 1.5% to settle at 3,068.1. S&P 500 shed 1.0% to finish at 1,399.0.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 0.9% lower at 9,728.0.
In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.7% or $0.74 higher at $102.21 per barrel.

At 0500 BST today, the GBP is trading marginally higher against the USD at $1.5905, 0.1% lower against the EUR at €1.2089, and 0.3% lower against the JPY at ¥130.68.

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Wednesday 4 April 2012

April 04, 2012
Financial Market Summary
FTSE 100 lost 0.6% to settle at 5,838.3.

FTSEurofirst 300 index slipped 1.1%, to close at 1,072.9.

DJIA lost 0.5% to end at 13,199.5. NASDAQ edged down 0.2% to settle at 3,113.6. S&P 500 ticked down 0.4% to finish at 1,413.4.

Nikkei 225 index is trading 1.4% lower at 9,910.8.

In Asia, crude oil for May delivery is trading 0.3% or $0.31 lower at $103.70 per barrel.

At 0500 BST today, the GBP is trading 0.1% lower against the USD at $1.5890, 0.1% higher against the EUR at €1.2037, and 0.3% lower against the JPY at ¥131.34.

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