Markets
London - The FTSE 100 jumped 157.09 points to 5,195.17 yesterday. Man Group led the blue chip index higher after the company posted better than expected annual profits and said a decline in its asset values has bottomed out since March. BP rallied 5.9% as the US Coast Guard said the company made progress toward plugging a leaking well that’s been spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico for more than a month by temporarily stopping the flow. Prudential climbed 6.8% following rumours that it has pulled its $35.5 billion bid for US rival AIG’s Asian unit.

Posted: May 28th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 jumped 97.4 points to 5,038.08 yesterday. RBS and Burberry made strong gains after both companies reported higher earnings. Lloyds Banking Group rose more than 5% after Credit Suisse recommended buying the shares. Vodafone was also higher after BofA Merrill Lynch Global research reiterated its “buy” stance on the stock. Miners were among the biggest gainers though on reports that the Australian government may relax punitive tax measures. The Australian newspaper reported on its website that the government there was planning to redefine its proposed super-profits levy.

Posted: May 27th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 dropped 128.93 points to 4,940.68 yesterday, its first close below 5,000 since October 2nd. RBS and Barclays led banks lower as the rate at which banks lend to each other rose for an 11th day. Xstrata paced miners lower as metal prices dropped. In economic news, GDP rose 0.3% from the final three months of 2009, compared with an initial measurement of 0.2%, matching forecasts.

Posted: May 26th, 2010 under Asset Management.
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Markets
London - The FTSE 100 gained 6.68 points to 5,069.61 yesterday, its first gain for three days. Miners were stronger as metal prices climbed. Rio Tinto rose 1.7% while Anglo American added 2%. SABMiller gained 2.5% after China Resources Enterprise, of which it owns 49%, said first quarter profit increased almost nine-fold. Prudential finished 2.5% higher after giving an upbeat presentation about the planned takeover of AIA. On the downside, BP continues to slide as its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continues to sour sentiment towards the sector. The leak has so far cost $760 million to clean up.

Posted: May 25th, 2010 under Asset Management, Miscellaneous.
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The Tribunals have seen a flurry of equal pay cases in the last few years. The legislation requires equal treatment for men and women in the same employment either due to being employed in like work, where the work is rated as equivalent or is of equal value. 
A recent case has indicated that when determining the comparator [...]

Posted: May 25th, 2010 under Employment/HR, Miscellaneous.
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