Market Report 8 March 2010

Market Indices

Markets railed towards the end of last week as investors confidence increased off the back of better than expected jobs data in the US; the unemployment rate held at 9.7%. Confidence in US data was coupled with the market pricing in lower probability of Greek debt default.

Sterling weakened further last week over growing concerns that the election could result in a hung parliament, which could make reducing the national debt difficult.

The Nikkei had a bigger weekly gain this year as Japan’s currency weakened on speculation that the Bank of Japan will ease monetary policy further.

The UK FTSE All Share opened the week at 2736.81 closing up 4.5% at 2861.06.

In the US, the Dow opened the week at 10326.10 closing at 10566.20 up 2.3%.

The Nikkei opened the week at 10128.73 closing on Friday at 10368.96 up 2.4 %

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng opened the week at 20853.08 closing down -0.003% at 20787.97.

The Week Ahead

Companies reporting this week include:

Monday
Intertek
Petrofac

Tuesday
Inmarsat
International Power
Antofagasta
Hill & Smith
Greggs
Liberty

Wednesday
Standard Life
Tullow Oil

Thursday
Home Retail
Marrisons
Dignity
Old Mutual


THIS DATA IS PROVIDED BY GRAHAM SPOONER, INVESTMENT ADVISER AT THE SHARE CENTRE. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR AGREEMENT TO BUY OR SELL INVESTMENTS.
 

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2010-03-09 17:05:58 © Moneyextra.com