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• LSE’s Technology Woes May Prove Beneficial for Competitors - Editor, 10 September 2008 - No Comments yet

Recent rumblings of concern with regard to the increase in algorithmic, or black-box, trading, as well as stock exchanges becoming too reliant on technology, may very well be valid when considering the computer malfunction on Monday at the London Stock Exchange. Certainly, this could not have come at a worse time for the world’s third largest exchange. News of the U.S. federal government take-over of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac triggered a flurry of activity in world-wide markets resulting in one of the biggest market rallies in the past five months – and LSE investors and dealers stood by helplessly, like a penniless child looking through a candy store window.

• Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Placed Under U.S. Government “Conservatorship” - Editor, 9 September 2008 - No Comments yet

In what has been described as the world’s biggest emergency nationalization ever, the U.S. government stepped in once again to rescue ailing mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. However, this time round it is not just a bail out, but a complete take-over, or what authorities are calling a “conservatorship”. Understandably, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae shares took a plunge, but the general market rally yesterday may indicate that many investors are hopeful that this move by the federal government could mean the end of the ongoing credit crunch.

• Dividend-Paying Stocks May Balance Out Investor Portfolios in Volatile Market - Editor, 8 September 2008 - No Comments yet

At one time considered to be an integral aspect of an investor’s portfolio, stock dividends have taken a back seat in recent years as investors turned to shares that offered greater capital appreciation. The current volatile market, however, has highlighted the value of including dividend-paying stocks in a balanced portfolio. This is especially true in light of the fact that the benchmark for the U.S. market, Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, has in effect delivered flat returns since 2000.

• Alexander & Baldwin Move Over to the NYSE - Editor, 5 September 2008 - No Comments yet

Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc. has announced its intent to move the trading of its stock from NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), effective 1 October under the new ticker symbol of “AXB”. While not neglecting to thank NASDAQ for its past support, chairman and chief executive officer of Alexander & Baldwin, Allen Doane expressed his confidence that this move would provide an efficient and visible platform for the company’s shareholders.

• Algorithmic Trading – Driving Competitiveness to New Levels - Editor, 4 September 2008 - No Comments yet

Ongoing developments in information technology have resulted in dramatic changes in the business environment of stock exchanges. An increase in algorithmic trading is seen as a driving force behind many of these changes that have resulted in established stock exchanges investing millions of dollars in information technology, as well as lowering commissions and trade processing fees in order to remain competitive and attract algorithmic traders.

• Google’s Chrome Aims for Share of Internet Browser Market - Editor, 3 September 2008 - No Comments yet

Google’s stock responded positively to the announcement by the company that it is launching its own web browser. The new browser, called Chrome, will compete against Apple’s Safari, Mozilla’s Firefox and arch-rival Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The news of the launch follows hot on the heels of the release of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8 and is seen as a challenge to Microsoft’s long-held dominance of the market. Microsoft controls an estimated 70 percent of the browser market at present and Google’s new software opens up a whole new aspect of the ongoing Google versus Microsoft saga.

• Markets in Financial Instruments Directive - Editor, 2 September 2008 - No Comments yet

In an effort to integrate the financial markets of the thirty European Economic Area member states and increase cross-border investment orders, the European Union has put into operation the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). The directive has a number of key elements that will apply to investment banks, brokers, portfolio managers and corporate finance companies, as well as some commodities and derivatives related companies.

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