Matt's Market Week.

The Footsie finished the week at 5100 - the first time it has closed over 5000 for three months. The market was buoyed by better-than-expected results from the banking and financial services sector, with three high street banks reporting increased profits.

But it seems that investor confidence is fragile, and this was reflected in share prices; especially technology shares, which have had a roller-coaster ride this week. It has been a particularly white-knuckle trip for ImaginIt shareholders, who saw their shares put on 20% on Monday, and then plunge to 40% of their starting price as investors panicked. Profit-taking followed on Wednesday, and then enough bottom-feeders joined in to raise the price on Thursday. The rising shares have attracted investors, and now at the end of the week ImaginIt is almost back where it started.

The question facing investors over the coming months is whether consumers will keep spending. At present the high street is shoring up the market, and if consumers decide to save instead, then the present economic slowdown could become a recession.

Our belief is that the technology market has bottomed out, and now is a good time to go long on some carefully selected shares. Desidera seems a good bet, and Philarkos Tech may also be worth more than a flutter. It may also be worthwhile selling your shares in some high street businesses. Not Just Beds is deeply in debt, and has falling profits. If you are in with this company, now may be a good time to sell.

Finally, is Bernard Wuffy on to a winner in China? With the domestic market looking a bit iffy, his bold foreign venture is well-timed. The Chinese seem to like his burgers, but is not certain that this oriental adventure will have a happy ending.

1. True
"The Footsie finished the week at 5100 - the first time it has closed over 5000 for three months". The end of the week is Friday, and the market was at a new high, so it must have been lower in the week.

2. True
"The market was buoyed by better-than-expected results from the banking and financial services sector." If the results were better than expected, then the share price will go up, and investors will make a profit.

3. False
We do not know what ImaginIt makes, but as Matt mentions it while he is discussing technology companies, we can say that it is a technology company - whch a company making roller-coasters is not.

4. True
"At the end of the week ImaginIt is almost back where it started." Matt starts on Monday, so on Friday, share prices were almost at Monday's level.

5. Not given
The writer doesn't say what he thinks ImaginIt's shares will do next.

6. True
"Worth more than a flutter" means it is worth investing quite a lot of money in the company. Obviously, you do that because you think it will make a profit.

7. True
Matt suggests that selling some high street shares; which shows that he thinks the investment has become risky.

8. Not given
"A good bet" and "worth more than a flutter" are of about the same value as recommmendations, so we do not know which one Matt would prefer to invest in.