Business English Studies Course

TODAY ON THE MARKETS.

A. Simon says .. Our trading guru, Simon Sharp, gives his weekly analysis looking at the best and the worst of the week's investments.

B. ......................... Well, it's been another roller-coaster week on the stock exchange. The Footsie started strongly, sagged in the middle of the week, and then shot up sharply just before the weekend.

C. ......................... Opinion remains sharply divided about Wuffyburgers' new Chinese venture. While some think the plan is doomed, others are strongly in favour, and the share price remains steady.

D. ......................... Good news for Sir Ronald Wallen's IPW Investment Trust. The company have been cleared of charges that they are financing arms deals with unsavoury third-world regimes. The investigating officer called for greater transparency in this company's murky affairs.

E. ......................... If you prefer football to the footsie, you know that Glasgow United are in trouble. Shares in the club have been falling along with the company's position in the league. If the team don't win soon, the manager will lose his job, and investors will lose their shirts.

F. ......................... No such worries at Cullen Ross. In its quarterly report this conglomerate has once again reported impressive profits despite the current economic climate. No-one was surprised when S&P raised its credit rating to AAA. No doubt this company will remain a safe bet.

G. ......................... Tech shares remain a bear market, though some companies are bucking the trend. Immagin is doing well with its string of user-friendly web sites, including Flowersformum.com and Reportacheat.co.uk. With users heading for their sites, this company is doing well.

H. ......................... On the other hand, my sympathies go to investors in Wild Ideas. This company was launched at the height of the internet boom, with shares trading at £14.50 a year ago. Since then shares have tanked to 25p and the bottom is nowhere in sight.

I. ......................... We can expect next week's trading to be equally unsettled. For now, I'm keeping my money out of tech stocks, and letting Cullen Ross take care of it. Low-profit, but low-risk.

TODAY ON THE MARKETS.

A. Simon says .. Our trading guru, Simon Sharp, gives his weekly analysis looking at the best and the worst of the week's investments.

B. Improvement on Friday. Well, it's been another roller-coaster week on the stock exchange. The Footsie started strongly, sagged in the middle of the week, and then shot up sharply just before the weekend.

C. Different opinions. Opinion remains sharply divided about Wuffyburgers' new Chinese venture. While some think the plan is doomed, others are strongly in favour, and the share price remains steady.

D. Off the hook. Good news for Sir Ronald Wallen's IPW Investment Trust. The company have been cleared of charges that they are financing arms deals with unsavoury third-world regimes. The investigating officer called for greater transparency in this company's murky affairs.

E. Shares fail to score. If you prefer football to the footsie, you know that Glasgow United are in trouble. Shares in the club have been falling along with the company's position in the league. If the team don't win soon, the manager will lose his job, and investors will lose their shirts.

F. Revenue up, borrowing cheaper. No such worries at Cullen Ross. In its quarterly report this conglomerate has once again reported impressive profits despite the current economic climate. No-one was surprised when S&P raised its credit rating to AAA. No doubt this company will remain a safe bet.

G. Good for some ... Tech shares remain a bear market, though some companies are bucking the trend. Immagin is doing well with its string of user-friendly web sites, including Flowersformum.com and Reportacheat.co.uk. With users heading for their sites, this company is doing well.

H. ... but bad for others. On the other hand, my sympathies go to investors in Wild Ideas. This company was launched at the height of the internet boom, with shares trading at £14.50 a year ago. Since then shares have tanked to 25p and the bottom is nowhere in sight.

I. Outlook uncertain. We can expect next week's trading to be equally unsettled. For now, I'm keeping my money out of tech stocks, and letting Cullen Ross take care of it. Low-profit, but low-risk.