Tag Archive
Green Light For GameStop – US-FOREX.US
It’s a tough business if customers aren’t buying what you’re selling. This summer videogame sales have fallen sharply from last year, defying the prerecession assumption that the industry is growing so fast that nothing can stop it. Investors will get a look at the fallout when GameStop reports earnings on Thursday morning. The retailer is… »
The New ETF Darlings – US-FOREX.US
After the stock market lost 37% last year, retail investors have developed a taste for comparatively stodgy fixed-income assets, especially exchange-traded funds. Assets under management by fixed-income ETFs climbed 47%, to 83 billion, this year, according to Barclay’s data. That gain outpaced the 17% jump in assets held by all U.S. ETFs.”Some people are feeling… »
High Hopes For Metals – US-FOREX.US
While recent pullbacks across raw materials may stoke fears of the bubble bursting, commodities bulls are undeterred. Inventories, after all, are extremely low and will have to be replenished once demand improves. Until then, volatility is just part of the game.Fears that China’s inventory build is over and that the economic recovery won’t be as… »
Bonds Still Have Legs – US-FOREX.US
All types of bonds have soared this year, from the debt of speculative-grade companies to the bonds cities and states sell to pay for schools. You might think that, the 38% return so far this year for junk bonds would mark the end of a run. But to Robert Tipp, chief investment strategist for Prudential… »
Retailers Cut As Consumers Hold Back – US-FOREX.US
Economic indicators may point to gradual economic improvements but to consumers facing weak wages, default, unemployment and eroding asset values, there’s little comfort in a “less-bad” economy. With private consumption accounting for roughly 70% of U.S. economic activity, a recovery without the consumer doesn’t promise to be much of a recovery at all. The consumer… »
Crazy For Junk – US-FOREX.US
Here’s more evidence of risk-taking’s rebirth: Sales of the riskiest, speculative debt has already surpassed last year’s total. Corporations have sold 88 billion in junk bonds worldwide, up from 49.5 billion in 2008, according to data provider Dealogic. The 4.2 billion bond sale by Canadian miner Teck Resources Limited
in May is the year’s largest.Telecommunication companies… »
No Time For Games – US-FOREX.US
Another month, another hit to an industry that once seemed immune to the financial distress afflicting broad segments of the economy. Sales of video games, both hardware and software, fell 29% in July compared to the same month in 2008, according to research group NPD. That’s the fifth consecutive monthly decline, although a smaller one… »
Iron Ore Ships As Steel Shapes Up – US-FOREX.US
Concerns about speculative buying continues to temper optimism regarding strengthening base metal prices as the market seeks to differentiate real metal demand from stockpiling and other conjectural buying. According to a recent report, one sector boasting solid demand is steel.Metal demand from China during the first half of the year bolstered steel demand, likely… »
Retailers Cant Wait For School – US-FOREX.US
American shoppers can’t decide if they’re ready to spend again or should hold off on that new plasma screen in case they lose their job, their home or their life savings. Big retailers also can’t decide. They posted better July sales figures than some had expected but a mixed batch of second-quarter earnings. Today the… »
Consumers Trade Down – US-FOREX.US
Cash-strapped consumers are looking to get the most bang for their buck, forcing retailers to adapt to new spending habits, says Claire Gruppo, co-founder and managing director of investment bank and M&A firm Gruppo, Levey.”People aren’t comfortable paying for brands or an experience if they don’t feel it’s worth it,” Gruppo said, “and the trend… »