Latest Articles

GM Drop in Sales May Deter IPO Investors

2 September 2010 - Features - Editor

In mid-August General Motors filed the necessary documentation with US regulatory authorities for an IPO reportedly to the value of around $50 billion. GM took this step to extricate the company from the US and Canadian authorities that are currently major shareholders, holding 72 percent of GM's equity. The success of the IPO would depend largely on whether investors are prepared to give General Motors another chance, after it had to be bailed out of potential bankruptcy more than a year ago. So, with a lot riding on the success of the IPO should it be approved, it was disconcerting news that GM's US market sales for August 2010 were around 25 percent lower than August 2009. It's true that the Obama administration’s "cash for clunkers" program did much to boost sales at that time, but even taking that into account, GM's August sales are a cause for concern and may deter investors from supporting the upcoming IPO.

GM wasn't the only car manufacturer battling in August. All manufacturers, with the exception of Chrysler, appear to have been hard hit. GM's head of US sales operations, Don Johnson, noted that in the light of job uncertainty and unemployment, consumers continue to be cautious. He pointed out though, that as employment opportunities start to recover and credit becomes more freely available, it is anticipated that consumers who have been holding back will be more inclined to purchase a new vehicle.

...

Continue Reading | More in Features

HP, Dell Lock Horns Over 3PAR - 30 Aug 2010 - Features

As the business world becomes ever more reliant on technology in order to function efficiently and remain competitive, there is plenty of behind the scenes wheeling and dealing going on between major players in this fast-moving sector that investors may want to keep track of. A merger bid by Dell, and the subsequent raising of the stakes by Hewlett Packard, for a company that reportedly has not managed to turn an annual profit since it became a public company three years ago, has been drawing a great deal of interest. The company at the center of attention is Fremon, California, based 3PAR, which received and accepted a merger bid from Dell, only to announce on the weekend that the board of the data storage company would be terminating its merger agreement with Dell in favor of the offer by HP, which it considers to be a "superior proposal". ..

Continue Reading | More in Features

Market Makers - 26 Aug 2010 - Markets

With stock exchange transactions taking place in the blink of an eye, market makers play a vital role in trading by being ready at any given moment of a trading day to buy or sell at publicly quoted prices, thereby linking sellers and buyers. These broker-dealer firms accept the risk of holding a predetermined number of shares in a chosen security, thereby facilitating instant trades in that security. Market makers trade in an environment of vigorous competition for customer order flow. As the term suggests, market makers create a market by displaying buy and sell quotations for a guaranteed number of shares. As a buy order enters the system, the market maker will sell from its own inventory, or in the event of not having inventory, will seek a corresponding sell order or inventory from other market makers. With modern technology at the forefront of stock market trading, these complex transactions take place in a matter of seconds...

Continue Reading | More in Markets

Investigation Into Flash-Crash Continues - 23 Aug 2010 - News

While the cause of the so-called Wall Street "flash crash" on May 6 this year has not yet been confirmed by regulators charged with investigating the incident, it is likely to lead to a tougher stance on controlling who has access to high-frequency trading on markets. The investigation includes scrutinizing brokers suspected of failing to thoroughly check high-frequency traders before allowing them market access, which raises a whole host of concerns, especially in light of the fact that around 60 percent of US trading volumes take place electronically. With brokers being in the position to grant traders direct access to run algorithms, the responsibility rests with brokers to ensure that they know exactly who they are granting access to, and those found to be negligent in this regard face the very real possibility of hefty fines...

Continue Reading | More in News

Hot Discussions On Our Forums

Oil and economic prosperity Most of the world economies are dependent on the oil and gas sector completely. But with its pric...By SALVADOR21

Offshore Savings An offshore bank is one that is located outside the area of residence of an investor. This area i...By Bennetts59

Citigroup Stock Daily Market Commentary for January 26, 2009 from Millennium-Traders.Com Laugh of the Day: Cit...By MTnews

Airbus to get $6.5 billion PARIS (Reuters) - The French state plans to inject 5 billion euros ($6.5 billion) into banks with...By godoftrading

Join our Forums

Latest Headlines

Tech Stocks: Take-Two gains highlight tech sector s advance [at MarketWatch] - Tech stocks take to the high ground in recent activity, rising along with the broad market as investors get in a positive mood following a better-than-expected payrolls report and video game publisher Take-Two Interactive Inc. reports upbeat earnings.

Financial Stocks: Financials rally on relief over August jobs report [at MarketWatch] - The U.S. financial sector was set to end its solid week on a high note Friday as better-than-expected data fueled hopes the economic recovery isn t being derailed.

US STOCKS-Wall St rises after payrolls data [at Reuters] - * Payrolls better than expected * ISM shows services sector slowing * Indexes up: Dow 0.8 pct, S&P 0.9 pct, Nasdaq 1 pct

Brought to you by Yahoo

Stock Exchange Quick Search

bob: you make loud boasts , but can you show me the opening and closing of the market indexs in South Ame...
www.stockmarkets.com/exchanges/south-america/


kennedy edahdike: with a dynamic emerging global power,a bouyant stock market is a sine qua non for develpoment,the po...
www.stockmarkets.com/exchanges/asia/chinese-stock-exchange/


Modjtaba M.Mansouri: search for be an member of this web site and get latest news about stocks in world....
www.stockmarkets.com/exchanges/asia/


Suraj Anand: Thank you for a very good explanation of this term. ...
www.stockmarkets.com/blog/should-investors-fear-upcoming-quadruple-witching-hour


desimone: how do i invest in telefonica del peru directly in quito...any suggestions?...
www.stockmarkets.com/exchanges/south-america/