The Lex Column:
*The world in progress - In ancient Rome, the flight paths of birds were scrutinised to avoid flawed decisions. Economic augurs of the present day are no less fascinated by fleeting patterns – and no more reliable in their assessments
*The US has indeed experienced a sharp rise in trend productivity growth. Boosting labour productivity merely by buying more equipment has its limits, though
*In the long term we’re all dead. That partly explains why population growth has little impact on output per head or returns on capital.
*EasyJet - Holding exploratory talks with Oasis Hong Kong about an alliance that would let customers book single tickets covering both low-cost airlines
*FTSE firms cut pension shortfall by £20bn
*President Vladimir Putin wins European hearts and minds
*Director confidence on the wane as boardroom share-buying fall.
Further news:
*Ofcom records more complaints about miss-selling and “slamming” than any other telecom-related grievance.
*First Choice's (FCD.L) high hopes for newly acquired hotel booking website
*F&C (FCAL.L) expresses concern over dropping of BAE case
*Uranium price soars as countries give nuclear power the go-ahead.
Further news:
*Vladimir Putin says environmental questions surrounding the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project have been settled, just minutes after state-controlled Gazprom took control of the operation from Shell (SHEL.L).
*John Lewis hits new sales record as rivals suffer
*Inequality between men and women is costing the world billions a year in lot economic growth, according to IMF research
*House prices rising at fastest rate since 2003.
Investment Strategist:
*Bank on cheap financials for solid growth.
Further news:
*Economists and strategists forecasts a healthy UK economy will carry on giving happy returns in 2007.
*Elbows out in the Boxing Day sales stampede.
*The Dow ended the session ahead 64.41 points at 12,407.63, the hi tech Nasdaq ended the session up 2.92 points at 1,498.27 while the S&P 500 ended ahead 6.14 points at 1,416.90
*Bridgepoint wins the battle for Rodenstock
*Apax Partners seeks sale or listing for surgical group Molnlycke
*FL Group of Iceland to meet American Airlines after disclosing a near 6% stake.
SOME ITEMS THAT COULD INFLUENCE SHARE PRICES
*Week before Christmas beats all forecasts for John Lewis
*Hometrack survey says House prices in 2006 rose by 6.7%, the fastest pace in over two years
*Oil and natural gas prices fall amid mild winter weather that depresses demand for home-heating fuels
*Saddam facing execution after death sentence is upheld
*Microsoft confirms security flaw in Windows Vista and share price still advances
*Gazprom fails to win Belarus gas deal
*China announces measures to curb exports of steel products and other metals
*FTSE firms cut pension shortfall by £20bn.
Compiled in association with HB PLC and WH Ireland Ltd
