Lou Gutheil

Barclays’ share price (LSE:BARC) jumped over 7.0% by early afternoon as investors responded positively to the bank’s 2012 results and Antony Jenkins’ promised strategic review.  The stock was up 21.25 to 322.75 in early afternoon trading. 2012 Results Quoting Maxwell Smart, Barclays “missed it by that much,” falling just shy of market expectations of £7.07 billion...

Monitise (LSE:MONI) CEO Alastair Lukies said in a published statement this morning that, “Monitise’s performance during the six months ended 31 December 2012 saw revenues continue to rise on the previous period with gross margins lifted by the ongoing shift towards growing user generated revenues.” He was commenting on the company’s first half results, that […]

The US Department of Commerce has reported that the country’s trade deficit improved in December to $38.5 billion.  That is down from $48.6 billion in November 2012 and from $51.7 billion in December 2011. The report revealed a somewhat unexpected 2.1% increase in US exports and a 2.7% decrease in imports during the month, which […]

GlaxoSmithKline (LSE:GSK) may be the perfect example of how investors should look at pharmaceutical companies differently than others.  The company share price has remained relatively unchanged in the 1450.0 areas  since 29 January, despite reporting “flat” sales for the full year ending 31 December 2012 on 06 February.  Shares have dropped modestly today by 0.90% […]

CEO Ian Gorham explained that investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown has benefited, at least in part, from the dubious schemes of the London banks.  He boldly said that the company’s six month results “demonstrate that a reputable company can, even in this climate, add genuine benefit to the UK economy and public, whilst paying its taxes […]

Virgin Media (LSE:VMED) shares advanced by 16.48%  to 2869.00 by early afternoon after the company confirmed that it is in discussions with Liberty Global (NASDAQ:LBTYA) “concerning a possible transaction.”  It was a 406.00 pence increase. Whilst Virgin’s announcement was short and sweet, “Virgin Media confirms that it is in discussions with Liberty Global, Inc., a...

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is taking Visa to court, alleging that the credit card company has intentionally and effectively prevented the expansion of Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) services throughout the Australian retail industry.  Visa has confirmed that it will vigorously defend allegations that it has “misused its market power.” Dynamic...

Chancellor George Osborne introduced his Banking Reform Bill to Parliament today, but not before giving the public a good look at it in a speech this morning at JP Morgan in Bournemouth. In this writers opinion, the changes put forth can come none too soon.  We often refer to the 2007 banking crisis. It’s been […]

By now you know the story about the HMV job cuts at the home office and the tweets that told about the firings direct from the HR office via mobile phone.  One of the first tweets referred to the “mass execution of loyal employees who love the brand.” Nearly everyone, employees, investors and outsiders know, […]

Here’s a wrap of some of Thursday’s news you may have missed.  Just click on the company name to see the details behind the headlines. The Dow Jones and the FTSE had their best January since 1994 and 1989, respectively. AstraZeneca reported a 15% drop in revenue for the full year to $27,973 million.  AZN […]