Indian Business Portals

Earn More Profit With Less Trading

2010-04-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

While many people still prefer the "fire and forget" nature of investing in mutual funds, more and more people are rediscovering the excitement and benefits of trading individual stocks. No doubt, this has been aided by the growth of online trading, cheap commissions and a realization that many high-paid advisors and Wall Street research departments consistently fail to outperform low-cost mutual fund strategies.

But with investors' new found status as managers of their own portfolios comes a dangerous temptation – overtrading. In fact, overtrading can represent a far greater risk to a portfolio than mediocre stock selection or a bad market. Time and time again, undisciplined and hyperactive investors run their portfolios into the ground by increasing their costs, decreasing their tax benefits, and missing the natural action of the stock markets. Getting a grip on how often they pull the trigger is crucial in keeping their portfolio moving in the positive direction. (Learn more in Measure Your Portfolio's Performance.)

How Heavy Trading Cuts Profits

If Wall Street's full-service brokers traded their clients' accounts as heavily as many do-it-yourself investors, they'd be accused of churning and lose their licenses. The reality is that $10 self-service commissions can do just as much damage as $50 -100 full-service trades, if they're done five to 10 times as often, something many novice traders don't realize until they sit down and add up their first few month's trading costs. As a rule of thumb, an investor hoping to earn double-digit returns should seek to limit their portfolio's annual costs to 1-2% including all commissions.

The Bid-Ask Spread

But trading costs aren't the only thing nickel and diming individual investors to death. The bid-ask spread, or the built in difference between the level at which a buyer and seller can transact a share of stock, can quickly bleed a heavy trader dry in a flat or down market. While Wall Street's largest stocks typically have a very narrow spread between the bid and ask prices, it still can amount to one-tenth of one percent per trade. While that may not seem like a lot, the bid-ask spread can easily cost a heavy trader 1-2% percent of a portfolio's value over the course of a year. And considering that many do-it-yourself investors also like to speculate on small companies, where the bid-ask spread can be as high as 3-5% per trade, it's not hard to see how heavy trading can be an anchor around a portfolio's neck. (Read The Basics of the Bid-Ask Spread to understand more about this spread.)

Taxes

Of course, many investors are blessed with some combination of skill, luck and good timing and manage to post solid returns in spite of the high trading costs and the bid-ask spread hurdle associated with heavy trading. For these investors, their hard work and good fortune is often punished with a higher tax rate than those that buy their investments and hold on to them over longer periods of time.

Currently, the U.S. tax code penalizes gains on all assets held less than twelve months, by taxing them at ordinary income tax rates. That means that up to 35% of a heavy trader's gains can go to taxes. This stands in stark contrast to a buy-and-hold investor whose long-term U.S. capital gains rates only max out at 15%. (Learn more about how your profits are taxed in our article Tax Effects on Capital Gains.)

How Slower Turnover Builds Profits

It's not just that heavy trading can take its toll on a portfolio, it's that the absence of lower turnover can also rob a portfolio of valuable components. It's like eating a fast-food burger instead of a health salad – you're not just eating garbage, you're skipping the stuff you really need.

The first by-product of slower turnover that many over-traders miss out on is sanity! Trying to follow every up and down tick of your favorite stock, plus all the news headlines that could affect that stock, can leave many investors feeling a little strung out. As a consequence of being overloaded, many investors' psychology becomes more erratic, with them making increasingly poor investment choices on adrenaline and impulse.

Of course, all that time watching the market and trying to time their trades distracts many investors from doing critical research. Whether they are technical traders who need to put in time with their charts, or fans of fundamental analysis that need to put their potential holdings under the microscope, overtrading can be a fatal distraction. By lowering their turnover rate and investing their limited time picking better companies, many lower turnover investors end up outperforming their heavier trading peers. (Find our how to combine technical and fundamental strategies in our article Blending Technical and Fundamental Analysis.)

But perhaps one of the biggest missed opportunities of maintaining an extremely higher turnover portfolio is missing regular dividends and unexpected stock splits. Dividends especially, have proven to provide a potent share of investors' overall total return historically. In fact, some studies estimate that dividends account for as much as half of the overall long-term growth of major large-cap indexes such as the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Alternatives to Heavy Trading

Whether you've got the itch for some fast action or the hankering for some incremental return, there are more efficient ways to reach your goals than heavily trading your account. These techniques are especially relevant if trading is not your full-time source of income, but something you have taken on as a hobby or out of necessity.

If you're determined to be the shot caller on which stocks end up in your portfolio and when, be sure you're diversified significantly. Not putting all your eggs in one basket can actually lead to less micromanagement since all of your net worth is not tied up in the next trade. Even though you may make roughly the same amount of trades as before, they'll be spread over more companies, lowering the actual turnover of each position. In turn, you may cut down on some of the previously mentioned pitfalls such as shorter capital gains holding periods, missing dividends and stock splits, and becoming a high-strung trader who's got everything riding on just a few positions.

If you're open to turning over the reins to someone else, consider using an actively-managed mutual fund that focuses on high-turnover strategies, or even a “separately managed account” if you have more than $100,000 - $250,000 to invest. In both of these situations, you'll get the joy of knowing someone is actively working the market for you, but likely doing it with more expertise and lower costs than if you tried to do it yourself.

Last but not least, consider utilizing a covered call writing strategy, especially with assets that are in tax-protected IRAs. By writing covered calls, or selling someone the right to possibly buy your stock in the future, you can increase your portfolio's overall return in an exciting hands-on way, while lowering your turnover significantly in flat and down markets. (Read The Basics of Covered Calls to learn how a simple call option can work for you.)

Conclusion

While many investors dream of being active traders, it's a costly and time-consuming lifestyle that can cause your net worth to evaporate over the course of a couple of poorly-timed trades. If higher returns are what you seek, consider slowing down your turnover, spending more time on research, and utilizing some creative strategies to keep your portfolio's return exciting.

Source : Earn More Profit With Less Trading

Indian Food Connaught Place, Indian Street Food, Street Food in Delhi, Restaurants in Connaught Place

2009-12-12T02:39:00.000-08:00

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Sensex lacklustre; Pharma, Oil & Gas up

2009-09-25T00:59:00.000-07:00

Benchmark indices were moving in narrow ranged Friday as investors stood on sidelines ahead of a long weekend. However, buying activity
was seen in midcaps and smallcap stocks.

“Bulls are indeed on seventh heaven as the September series came to a happy close with a 7% gain in the major indices. Foreign funds continue to pour money into Indian equities while the local funds don’t appear to be all that excited. The market is likely to remain sideways with mostly a positive bias and its direction will hinge on FII inflows and external environment. Results and RBI’s monetary policy are the two big events to watch out for next month.

We have two back-to-back extended weekends. This has the potential to make the market choppy but also gives you a chance to relax,” said India Infoline report.

At 12 pm, Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex was at 16749.53, down 31.90 points or 0.19 per cent. The index touched an intra-day low of 16618.43 and high of 16787.67.

National Stock Exchange’s Nifty was at 4978.60, down 7.95 points or 0.16 per cent. The broader index touched a low of 4931.25 and high of 4989.50.

“Yesterday's recovery suggests us that the bull strength is still intact however; the recovery above 5020 level is needed to continue the same. On the lower side the level of 4925 may act as a major support for the market and failure to hold the same may invite further sell off in the market. Below 4925 level the index may reach 4870/4880 level. Traders can search for fresh trading long opportunity around these levels,” said Kotak Securities report.

BSE Midcap Index was up 1.21 per cent and BSE Smallcap Index moved 1.53 per cent higher.

Amongst the sectoral indices, BSE Healthcare Index gained 2.68 per cent, BSE Oil&gas Index and BSE Realty Index was up 0.99 per cent each.

BSE IT Index was down 1.29 per cent and BSE Metal Index tripped 0.84 per cent.

TCS (-2.15%), Infosys Technologies (-1.49%), Bharti Airtel (-1.43%), ICICI Bank (-1.30%) and Sterlite Industries (-1.27%) were amongst the Sensex losers.

Gainers included Sun Pharmaceuticals (1.61%), Reliance Industries (1.26%), Maruti Suzuki (1.03%), ONGC (0.70%) and NTPC (0.59%).

Market breadth was positive on the BSE with 1765 advances and 766 declines.

News Source : Sensex lacklustre; Pharma, Oil & Gas up

Bharti fails to keep pace with Sensex on MTN overhang

2009-09-25T00:54:00.000-07:00

Bharti Airtel, which has underperformed the benchmark Sensex ever since it revived a plan to merge with South Africa’s MTN Group, may surge if the deal falls through, as it would put an end to uncertainty about the future of a combined entity with differing management styles, structures and some imponderables, investment advisors say.

“If the deal (with MTN) succeeds, there could be a small downside,” said Mehraboon Jamshed Irani, senior vice-president-PMS, FCH Centrum Wealth Managers. “But if it fails, the stock could gain, as those worried about the uncertainty surrounding the deal may want to include Bharti in their portfolio,” Irani added.

Bharti, the biggest mobile phone company with a 4.4% weighting in the benchmark Sensex, is down 2% since May 25 this year, when it announced the reopening of exclusive negotiations with MTN. During the period, the most popular index has risen 20%. Bharti ended 1.4% higher at Rs 419.25. Sunil Mittal, who last year ditched a plan to combine the companies, revived the idea to create a $23-billion behemoth with more than 200 million customers, as he sought to grow globally when the domestic revenues per user were declining due to stiff competition.

But the regulatory hurdles such as mandatory open offer by MTN for 20% of Bharti’s minority holders and legal complications in dual listing are threatening Mittal’s ambitions. Both the companies are still in discussion and the deadline to conclude a deal is September 30. During the downturn in 2008, Bharti figured among the best performing stocks and many investors still like the stock, but for MTN. The stock has underperformed its peers, too, despite many investors preferring it over rivals.

“We like Bharti’s strong management team and its ability to execute consistently. But given the current overhangs, we do not think the stock is cheap at 15.9 times FY11 P/E,” said Nomura in a note to clients. It
has a neutral rating on the stock. “Uncertainty about the MTN deal is one element, but domestic competition concerns, along with 3G and MNP (mobile number portability) impact, are other overhangs.”

Its leadership position and experience make it the best candidate to take on the emerging competition, some analysts say. “In our view, it’s best positioned to manage competitive pressure, given its incumbency advantage and diversified service portfolio,” RBS said in a note to clients. “We believe current valuations, at almost 14 times FY11 EPS, factor in the transaction, thus restricting downside on a formal announcement. Hence, termination of a deal could drive significant upside,” the note added.

There are also some who are betting that a buyer of Bharti will be a winner irrespective of what happens to the deal. “Whichever way the deal goes, it will be favourable for investors from the stock market point of view,” says Amitabh Chakraborty, president (equity) at Religare Securities.

“If the deal goes through, Bharti may find a place in the MSCI index which will result in foreign investors wanting an exposure to the stock. At the same time, domestic investors are not very positive on the stock as they think value accretion may take some time in the event of a successful deal with MTN. If the deal falls through, these fund managers may start buying the stock again,” he said.

News Source : Bharti fails to keep pace with Sensex on MTN overhang

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2009-09-24T04:41:00.001-07:00

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India to Auction 3G Mobile-Phone Licenses in December

2009-09-13T23:34:00.000-07:00

India, the world’s second-largest wireless market by users, said it will start accepting bids for licenses to offer high-speed services on Dec. 7, a move that may help boost revenue at Bharti Airtel Ltd. and other carriers.

Bidders must submit any queries they have by Oct. 8, before a pre-bid conference on Oct. 12, and applications for the permits must be made on or before Nov. 13, the Department of Telecommunications said in a statement on its Web site. The government said last month it may raise about $5 billion from selling licenses for mobile-phone and wireless broadband Internet services.

The sale will pave the way for faster data services in India, the biggest economy in the world not to offer 3G nationwide. India’s number of mobile-phone subscribers has room to triple from more than 440 million, giving Sweden’s Ericsson AB, China’s Huawei Technologies Co. and Finland’s Nokia Oyj incentive to compete for network-equipment orders.

The third-generation services “will be the next phase of growth,” Nishna Biyani, an analyst at Mumbai-based Prabhudas Lilladher Pvt. said by telephone. Carriers will use the permits for airwaves to initially boost revenue from improved voice services even as they add data and broadband offerings, he said.

Bharti, India’s largest wireless operator, expects the start of high-speed services to boost “voice efficiencies” and the speed of data downloads, Chief Executive Officer Manoj Kohli said on Aug. 27. The carrier is eager to participate in the auction, he said at the time.

Gaurav Wahi, a spokesman at second-ranked Reliance Communications Ltd. declined to comment on whether the Mumbai-based operator will participate in the auction.

Revenue From Auctions

The auctions for licenses to operate third-generation mobile-phone services and WiMax wireless broadband services will earn India about 250 billion rupees ($5.13 billion), Communications Minister Andimuthu Raja said Aug. 27.

A group of ministers set a minimum price for a pan-Indian permit at 35 billion rupees, ending a nine-month deadlock over the pricing of the licenses. As many as four slots will be auctioned for each of the nation’s 22 phone-service zones, Raja said at the time.

Bharti, Vodafone Group Plc and other mobile-phone companies may gain customers by offering faster services such as music and Internet downloads that could help them offset slowing revenue growth in the more profitable urban markets. The world’s largest wireless market after China has attracted Norway’s Telenor ASA and Japan’s NTT DoCoMo Inc. AT&T Inc., the biggest U.S. carrier, has said it wants to start services in the South Asian nation.

‘Requested to Monitor’

“Participants are requested to monitor the auction Web site actively” for any changes in the schedule, the department said in its statement.

India’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has sought to delay until next year the country’s auction of rights to provide third generation mobile-phone services, Mint newspaper reported last week, citing a person familiar with the development.

India in November picked NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd. as the independent auctioneer to help it sell the permits and initially aimed to complete the process by Jan. 15.

State-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. currently offer high-speed services in some parts of the country. The carriers have been exempted from the auction process.

News Source : India to Auction 3G Mobile-Phone Licenses in December

Stocks subdued; Nifty holds 4800

2009-09-13T23:30:00.000-07:00

Stocks remained subdued as losses in realty and metal stocks took a toll on sentiment. But key indices pulled back marginally with the Nifty regaining the 4800 mark.

“In the minor term, support for Nifty continues to remain at 4780. If this level is broken then we could see selling pressure emerging and Nifty might test 4720 or 4680. And in the slightly intermediate term, support exist at 4560, unless Nifty breaks below 4560 with huge volume this trend is safe and every dip is a buying opportunity. Resistance is at 4900; if this level is breached with positive market breadth and huge volumes then the next target is 5050-5200,” said Nirmal Bang Securities in a technical note.

At 11:30 am, Bombay Stock Exchange’s Sensex was trading at 16,194.49, lower by 0.43 per cent or 69.81 points from the previous close. The index fell to a low of 16,119.95 after opening at 16,185.26. National Stock Exchange’s Nifty lost 0.52 per cent or 25.35 points to 4804.20. The index touched a high of 4832.25 and low of 4786.25 in trade so far.

The broader market scrambled back after an initial blip. The BSE Smallcap Index edged 0.13 per cent higher and BSE Midcap Index was trading 0.07 per cent down.

Sectorwise, BSE Realty Index slipped 1.59 per cent, BSE Metal Index lost 0.94 per cent and BSE Oil&Gas Index dropped 0.67 per cent.

Jet Airways India surged 5 per cent after the five-day-old stir by its pilots ended and the airline
management reached a settlement with the agitators. Shares of Jet Airways India surged 5.05 per cent to ahigh of Rs 270.40 on the BSE.

Biggest index gainers were Jaiprakash Associates (1.43%), Tata Steel (1.29%), Wipro (0.82%), Hindustan Unilever (0.74%) and BHEL (0.62%).

Losers comprised Sterlite Industries (-2.93%), Hindalco Industries (-2.62%), ONGC (-1.64%), DLF (-1.52%) and Reliance Communications (-1.31%).

Market breadth on BSE remained negative with 1192 declines against 1185 advances.

News Source : Stocks subdued; Nifty holds 4800

Home Inspections: Top Ten Problems

2009-09-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

Each homebuyer has different ideas of what will constitute the ideal home for them, these notions often based on particular aesthetic preferences. But one thing that unites all potential homebuyers is the desire to find a home that is fundamentally sound—in areas beyond the immediate sweep of the eye—and that will provide a safe, comfortable, and efficient foundation for their life behind a new door.

This is where the services of a home inspector come in. During a home inspection, at least 30 areas of the home are placed under the home inspector’s “microscope.” We’ve compiled the ten most common weaknesses uncovered in a typical home inspection. If not addressed, these problems could cost you thousands of dollars in the long-run. So, knowing what to look for, and performing your own thorough pre-inspection, will help you to identify areas for repair or improvement before they grow into costly problems.

* Damp Basement: If a mildew odour is present, the inspector will be able to detect it, as this smell is impossible to mask or eliminate. Mildew odour is often the first indication of dampness in the basement. The inspector will also examine the walls, checking for any signs of whitish mineral deposit just above the floor, and will note whether you feel confident enough to store items on the floor. Repairs can run anywhere from $200 to $15, 000, this cost ultimately influencing the calculation of your home’s value, so consider enlisting the help of an expert to ensure you have a firm grasp on the bottom line before moving forward with the sale of your home.

* Poorly Installed/ Defective Plumbing: In older homes, plumbing problems and defects are very common. The inspector will determine whether your home’s plumbing is subject to leaking or clogging. Signs of leakage can be visibly detected. The inspector will test water pressure by turning on all the faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If the sound of water is audible, this indicates that the home’s pipes may be too narrow. The inspector will also check for signs of discoloration in the water when a faucet is first turned on. The appearance of dirty water is usually an indication that the pipes are rusted—a water quality problem that should be dealt with immediately.

* Older/ Poorly-Functioning Heating and Cooling Systems: Heating/ cooling systems that are older or haven’t been properly maintained can pose serious safety and health problems. An inspector will determine the age of your furnace and, if it is over the average life span of a furnace (15-20 years), will likely suggest you replace it, even if it is still in good condition. If your heating system is a forced air gas system, the heat exchanger will be examined very closely, as any cracks can result in the leak of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. These heat exchangers are irreparable; if damaged, they must be replaced. While replacing these components may seem expensive, a new system will yield heightened efficiency, reducing monthly heating/ cooling costs substantially, and benefiting your long-term investment.

* Older/ Unsafe Electrical System: In older homes, it is common to find undersized services, aluminum wiring, knob-and-tub wiring, or insufficient/ badly-renovated distribution systems. When an electrical circuit is over-fused, more amperage is drawn on the circuit than what the circuit was intended to bear, creating a fire hazard. You’ll typically find a 15 amp circuit in a home, with increased service for larger appliances such as dryers or stoves. If replacing your fuse panel with a circuit panel, expect a cost of several hundred dollars.

* Older/ Leaking Roof: An asphalt roof will last an average of 15 to 20 years. Leaks through the roof could be a sign of physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles caused by aging, or could indicate mechanical damage caused by any number of factors, such as a heavy storm. If you decide your roof requires new shingles, you’ll first need to know how many layers are beneath, in order to determine whether the roof must be completely stripped before installing the new shingles.

* Minor Structural Problems: Common in older homes, these problems range from cracked plaster to small shifts in the foundation. While this variety of problem isn’t large enough to cause any real catastrophe, they should be taken care of before they grow.

* Poor Ventilation: Unvented bathrooms and cooking areas can become breeding areas for mold and fungus, which, in turn, lead to air quality issues throughout the house, triggering allergic reactions. Mold may additionally cause damage to plaster and window frames. These problems should be identified and taken care of before any permanent damage is caused.

* Air Leakage: A cold, drafty home can be the result of any number of problems, such as ill-fitting doors, aged caulking, low-quality weather strips, or poor attic seals. This nature of repair can usually be taken care of easily and inexpensively.

* Security Features: An inspector will look at the standard security features that protect your home, such as the types of lock on the doors/ windows/ patio doors, and the smoke or carbon monoxide detectors and where they’re located throughout the home. Check with an expert if your home is lacking in any of these areas, in order to determine what costs to expect.

* Drainage/ Grading Problems: This may be the most common problem found by home inspectors, and is a widespread catalyst of damp and mildewed basements. Solutions to this problem may range from the installation of new gutters and downspouts, to re-grading the lawn and surrounding property in order to direct water away from the house.

Article Source : Home Inspections: Top Ten Problems

What Stocks to buy in a typical recession?

2009-08-23T23:36:00.001-07:00

When going gets tough , the tough get going. During every recession there are many investors who have squandered away large amounts of wealth in the share market. Many of them run away since they cannot handle the stress any more. Some remain but are confused which stocks to buy.

There are many analyst who claim that this recession is not like previous recessions and rather it is like the Great depression of 1920's. The most common reason given is this recession is caused by huge amounts of debt the US and other economies have accumulated over the years. However in both cases the recovery process is going to be same.

If you look at past data you would be inclined to believe that investing in small cap companies is always advisable in recession.

Example 1 :
The July 1981-November 1982 recession lasted 16 months. In the three subsequent years from the midpoint, the DJ Wilshire U.S. Small-Cap Index soared a cumulative 101%. The small-cap value index jumped 126% and the growth index advanced 78%. Midcap stocks turned in the second-best performance with a gain of 88%, and value topped growth. The same value-growth dynamic held for large-caps, which gained 82% but still lagged the DJ Wilshire 5000's 85% rise.

Example 2 :
In the three years following the 1990-91 recession's midpoint, small stocks added 105%, with value (up 114%) again outstripping growth (96% higher). Midcaps advanced 88%, but large-caps mustered just a 57% gain.

Example 3 :
The small caps rose about 25% from the eight-month 2001 recession. Midcaps increased by 18%, while large-caps actually retreated by 3%.

Now many people would seek to know why should the small-value phenomenon happen in a recession's recovery?

Genral hypothesis says there are two main reasons for it :

1. Small stocks are more speculative than larger ones. They tend to shine when investors realize a recovery is unmistakably under way -- those three years following a recession's midpoint. During economic expansions these companies can grow revenues and profits faster -- in percentage terms -- than larger ones, drawing investor attention.

2. Value stocks' prices are, by definition, cheap. That is why they have higher dividend yields and lower ratios of price to the per- share worth of investors' holdings (a.k.a. "book value") -- the two classic indicators of "value" stocks. Read our article on http://www.comparebroker.com/should_i_invest_now.php to understand these in more detail. When investor money pours into small stocks, those in the value category are poised to rise the most

-- again in percentage terms -- because they are rebounding from a lower level than are "growth" stocks.

First attempt you should also change it a little and then we would be good.

Wondering how much money to invest? Continue reading 100$ vs 5000$

Content Source : What Stocks to buy in a typical recession?

Real Estate Investment Vs Stock Market Investment

2009-08-08T07:06:00.001-07:00

Both, Real Estate and Stock Market offer very lucrative investment opportunities and both have their pros and cons. To make maximum money out of your investment, it is very important to gain knowledge of both the fields. In this article a comparison between real estate investment and stock market investment is done to help you make an informed decision.

Stocks Market Investment

The average rate of return on stock market investments from 1978 to 2006 was recorded 13.4%. Although, the stock market industry is more unpredictable than the real estate industry but the rate of profit is always more.

Real Estate Investment

The average rate of return on Real Estate Investments from 1978 to 2006 was recorded 8.6%. The profit rate in real estate industry is consistent due to the appreciation of the property value.

Working of Stocks Market

Investing in stock market allow you to get ownership in a company. The profit you earn in this type of investment is directly proportional to the financial position of the company you investing in. If the company does well you can earn huge profits but in case it doesn’t your funds may diminish.

Stocks Market Investment can provide you with a much greater profit rate if the economic condition is stable.

Working of Real Estate Industry

Real estate industry is categorized under two heads: commercial and residential. You can buy property at lower rates and sell in when the market value increases. If you wish to earn a consistent income from your investment then you can rent out the property purchased.

There is always more consistency in the profit margins of a real estate investment as the property rates generally appreciate.

Advantages of Stocks Market Investment

Stocks Market Investments hold a higher liquidity value and are therefore easier to sell in comparison to the real estate investments. They are also more flexible and can be transferred to a retirement account.

The second big advantage of Stocks Market Investments is that rate of turnover they can generate in a year is much higher if the financial position of the company is stable. Some of the stocks also bring in huge profit as some companies have an average growth rate of 20% or even 50%.

Advantages of Real Estate Investment

Real Estate Investment also has great benefits, such as tax deductions, selling the property under 1031 exchange, and continuous appreciation rates of properties.

Land is one tangible asset the value of which continuous to appreciate with time. Therefore, Real Estate Investment usually generate consistent turnover every year. Sometimes due to regional growth the property rates are doubled within years and fetch the investor’s huge profits.

To conclude stock market investments usually are more advantageous than real estate investments in certain categories. Although, real estate offer greater stability and tax relief but stock market investments can generate huge profits in lesser time and offer greater flexibility in terms of liquidity. It is advisable to make your decision keeping in consideration your financial position.

Online Brokers - Online Brokerage Firms CompareBroker aims at helping traders to help investors to choose the Best Stock Broker. We partner with different online stock brokers and bring out their value proposition to consumers for a fair comparison. Experts suggest to consider opening multiple accounts.

Advantages of Online Stock Trading

2009-07-31T04:35:00.001-07:00

Internet has given a whole new meaning to the financial service industry and changed it in a manner that was never predicted. The online way of doing trade has gained huge popularity due to the comfort and convenience it has offered to the consumers and supplier across the globe. Online Stock trading when came into existence took over the market and crossed the threshold of conventional brokerages in an unbelievable way. Online Stock Trading added ease, speed, and convenience to the industry of commerce.

Online stock trading brokers have an edge over the conventional brokers and realizing the benefits of internet, they are also creating an online presence for themselves. Since mid ‘90’s, when Online Stock Trading came into being, it drastically transformed the financial services industry and created a strong foothold in the commercial market. Online Stock Trading created a virtual world of trading that is within the reach anyone and everyone. All you need to have is an internet connection and you can log on from anywhere and anytime and carry out your trades stocks Online.

Online Stock Trading gave the Online stock trading brokers an easy and economical way to carry out trade by just holding online trading accounts. There was a rapid boom in the Online Stock Trading scenario due the lower commission structures in comparison to the conventional brokerages. There was also a tremendous increase in the Online Stock Trading accounts and there was a major hike in the transaction volumes. Here is a list of the benefits enjoyed by the online stock trading brokers:

Easy Access: Online stock trading brokers have an easy access to the market with advent of internet as all they need to have is an Online Stock Trading account. The traders can check out real time stock quotes and go through historical stock price trends; this will give them a fair idea about the deal they are entering into. They can also assess the market analysis and do their own research on various firms. They can also interact with the online stock trading brokers via forums or chat rooms.

Eliminate middlemen: Online stock trading brokers have eliminated the long line of middlemen involved in stock trading otherwise. It allows the traders to invest wisely and make buying and selling of stocks much easier and simpler. It allows the traders to directly contact online stock trading brokers whenever and wherever without any hassle.

Lower commission: Making an Online Stock Trading account is much more economical then going in for the help of a conventional broker who are always looking for chance to make money out of the client. On the other hand, online stock trading brokers only charge a fixed amount of commission and help you in making deals that are beneficial for you. Traditional brokerage houses turn out to be very expensive which gives the online stock trading brokers leverage in comparison.

Rich Information Source: Online Stock Trading has bridged the gap between the traders and the commercial market. With the help of internet the traders can gain any type of information related to stocks, companies, market trends, etc.

Wider Investment Choice: Online Stock Trading gave the traders a wider choice in terms of investment. They can invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, mortgages, insurance, derivatives, futures, options, etc. depending upon their choice. Online investment phenomenon offered an extensive variety of products to the traders.

Quick trade execution: Online Stock Trading has significantly speeded up the process of commerce. It have made things accessible and available to the traders and decreased the time related to the completion of the overall trading procedure drastically.

Online Stock Trading is a boon to stock savvy individuals as it has opened various avenues of trade for them and made things amazingly easy and convenient.

CompareBroker an affiliate of best online brokerage firms helps consumers compare and search various online brokerage firms, futures trading brokers, low cost discount brokers, top mutual fund companies, investing stocks and bonds in terms of maintenance fees, stocks purchase fees, minimum deposits.

Find the Right Wedding Limousine Rental Company

2009-07-30T04:15:00.000-07:00

Looking for a right wedding limousine rental company? Here is some information that will guide you with your search. Cost, services, and limos are three main factors that you need to check to get a great deal at a great price. The information given below will help you to make an informed decision while hiring a limo service for your wedding day.

Check the price of the wedding limo services: One of the most important things you need to confirm while taking up the services of a wedding limousine rental company is the cost of services. Different companies have different rates as some of them charge on per hour basis while the others calculate the mileage. It is advisable to get quotes from various companies in order to get the best deal. Evaluate the quotes provided by various wedding limousine rental companies and then select the one that offers best priced limo services. Some of these companies also provide special wedding packages by giving the clients some extra services like in-house Campaign, soft drinks and snacks. Consider all the options available and select the one that matches best with your requirement.
Check out the services included in the price quoted: Another important thing that you need to check before making the reservations is the services provided in the cost quoted. Sometimes these wedding limousine companies charge extra for additional services and also apply waiting charges. Therefore, always make sure what all is included in the price that has been quoted to you so that you do not end up paying lot more than expected. Clearly confirm wedding limousine service cost while making the reservations and also if there are any discounts or free services.
Check the condition of the limos before making the reservations: It is advisable to go for a wedding limousine rental company that provides well maintained limousines. After all wedding is a very special occasion and everything should be just perfect on this very special day. To ensure there is no problem on the wedding day check the condition of the limo that you are hiring carefully.

Extra Limos, Inc. makes your wedding a wonderful experience by providing you limos that are just perfect for your special day. They have the best wedding limos New York and are known for their superb services. For more information on their wedding limousine service NY, browse through http://www.extralimos.com

Make Your Wedding Special by Hiring Wedding Limousine Services

2009-07-27T23:18:00.000-07:00

Wedding is one of the most special occasion and the memories of this event are cherished for years to come. To make this beautiful day a memorable one for the bride and groom, make them feel like a king and queen by arranging for wedding limousine service NY. Limo is emblem of royalty and status and the luxury it offers makes it the best choice for wonderful occasions like weddings. There are many wedding limousine rental companies that provide well maintained limos and trained chauffeurs for auspicious occasions like weddings.

Special Wedding Packages for a Memorable Experience

Many of the wedding limousine rental companies provide special wedding packages which includes embellishing the limo with “just married sign” banner and providing the couple with champagne and soft drinks on their way to the wedding venue. The wedding limousine rental companies take the complete responsibility of the travelling concerns of the bride and groom and also all the wedding guest. These luxury cars add to the mood and aura of the celebration.

Wedding limo service NY for wedding Planners

Hiring a wedding limo services by the wedding planners can not only help them execute their wedding plans successfully but also increase their business significantly. If you are a wedding planner then you must arrange for luxury limo for the wedding couple that would not only travel them to the church, but also to the departure point of their honeymoon. Arriving and leaving in the limousine will make the couple feel special and the luxury of the car will add to the romantic ambience of the celebration. Many of the wedding limousine rental companies provide heavy discounts to the wedding planners to make them their repeat customers.

Find the right wedding limousine rental company

There are many wedding limousine rental company in the New York City that offer amazing services. It is very essential to book limousine for your wedding from a company that is reputed and have good track record. Another thing that you must take care of before making the reservations is your budget and requirements. Hire a wedding limo that is beautifully decorated and bundled with facilities. Make the day of wedding special by going for the best wedding limousine rental company that offers excellent services.

Make a brilliant move by selecting Extra Limos, Inc. and get excellent wedding limousine service NY. For more information on wedding limousine rentals browse through http://www.extralimos.com

Gaiole In Chianti, Italy Named The Number One Most Idyllic Place To Live In Europe By Forbes

2009-07-27T04:23:00.000-07:00

Dreams of Tuscan life have long infiltrated the minds of people all over the world thanks to the lure of Italy and from highly publicized media such as the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. The rolling hills of this alluring countryside are certainly the most famous in the world. Even the name for the color Siena is derived from the notable Renaissance location. Words simply cannot adequately describe the beauty of this region"s hills. The tranquility that overcomes your spirit when riding through the hills reminds one of the sensations of swimming in calm ocean waves. The ever-changing landscape coordinates with the seasons, providing eclectic scenery throughout the year. The quietude of the town is charming and quaint, appealing not to those of large city orientation, but to those who love to take in the fresh air and appreciate what the Earth has to offer. The average temperature is around 68 degrees F (20 degrees C).

The understated zeal and emotionality that the landscape elicits upon visiting is unimaginable. Visitors and locals alike can simply feel the romance in the air. This area is tranquil, elegant, and satisfactory. Upon first glance of the Tuscan hillside, you feel pure bliss, as though there were nowhere else in the world to be at that very moment. It immediately feels like home. Hardly any other place in the world offers such contentment and fulfillment. The hills tug at your heartstrings, begging you to come and experience the life they have to offer.

It is important to remember however, especially for Americans or UK citizens moving to Tuscany, that the Tuscan way or daily life is completely the opposite of what most expatriates are accustomed to. Things are done slowly and traditionally, shopping happens daily rather than weekly or monthly as they like their food fresh. Large quantities of things are difficult to find, and stores with everything you are searching for in one place do not exist. If you are ready to take your life and slow it down significantly, Tuscany is the place for you. However if you appreciate the bustle of the city, modern stores, and eclectic foods, this is not the place for you. Tuscany caters to those who fully appreciate, understand, and value Italian traditions and customs.

If you are considering moving to Europe any time in the near future, it is important to consider now. Exchange rates are much lower than usual, so you can get more for your money if you purchase now. The perfect way to decide if the Tuscan hillside down of Gaiole or anywhere else in Chianti is right for your family is to visit. By visiting www.CasaInToscana.com, you can find the perfect villa for your family and begin your Tuscan dream life.

About the Author:
Filippo Gargani owns and manages Italy"s Finest, a creative Luxury Travel italy and Destination Management Company arranging out-of-the-ordinary experiences and is an expert on vacation packages, chianti wine tours, florence apartments, luxury food and short breaks life style and leisure activities in Tuscany and Italy. For more info you can visit http://www.italysfinest.com

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Hire Prom Limousine Service for That Once In a Lifetime Event

2009-07-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hire a fancy limo for the prom night and create an impression on your friends. Make the night extra special by renting a luxurious limo, and travel in style. Prom night is a very special occasion in a person’s life and all of us wish to make it a memorable one. Hiring a prom limo service from a professional Prom Limousine Service company ensures you fully of your travel arrangements.

To find the right Prom Limousine Service Company do a thorough research as the prices of different companies may vary depending upon the services provided by them. Price, availability, reliability, and attention to detail are some of the factors that should be kept in mind while taking up a prom limo service. Verify the payment method and the services offered and also if they would take extra waiting charges in case prom lasts a little longer than expected. Check the company policies carefully before finalizing the deal.

One thing that you must assure before hiring any prom limo service company is that it should be complaint with state law of teenage drinking. Many of these companies also provide additional services and supply snacks and soft drinks along with the transportation services to make traveling enjoyable for their clients. After you have decided on the company that you wish to hire, it is time to make reservations to assure that the limo is available on the required date.

Do not wait to make the reservations as prom season is a busy season for the prom limo service companies and delay in reservations can affect the availability significantly. To get the limo you want make the bookings as soon you have reviewed the quotes and made your decision. While making reservations you must tell the company that services are for a high school prom or homecoming for teenagers and therefore there should be no alcoholic beverages served in car. After you have made the reservations, it is advisable to call the limo service company to confirm the pickup time, day and date so that there is no confusion.

Today, there are a lot of companies that offer prom limousine services but it is advisable to go for a company that is licensed and also provide chauffeured services. The company should have high standards and well maintained limos.

Extra Limos, Inc. is one of the leading companies that provide outstanding prom limousine services. It caters to all your traveling needs by providing luxurious limos. For information on prom limo services, browse through http://www.extralimos.com

India's First Wal-Mart Draws Excitement, Not Protest

2009-07-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

AMRITSAR, India -- The wide, clean aisles of India's first Wal-Mart are nothing like Kavita Gopal's usual shopping haunts. There are no bicycle rickshaws careering past her as she buys sacks of rice, no humor-filled haggling over the price of an egg and no demanding neighbors yelling down from their windows for shopping favors.

"It's so relaxing and bright in here. It's like a really enjoyable day trip," cooed Gopal, a 22-year-old housewife who wore a mustard-colored sari as she slowly pushed a giant wagon through the air-conditioned superstore.

For shoppers like Gopal, the arrival of the world's largest retailer in one of the world's largest marketplaces has brought more praise than protest. In recent weeks, crowds have swarmed the store, located on the Grand Trunk Road, the ancient and fabled trade route that stretches across India and into Pakistan.

They all want to get a glimpse of the warehouse-like store and its neatly organized bulk packages of sugary fruit juice, flat-screen televisions and tubs of Indian sweets. Although Wal-Mart has occasionally been the subject of controversy in the United States, the store here -- BestPrice Modern Wholesale, a joint venture with India's Bharti group -- has drawn excitement and wonder.

"In Punjabi, we have an expression: When there is a wedding, everyone flocks to see the new bride," said Kamal Gambhir, a wholesaler whose congested offices are located in this city's oldest bazaar. "I myself had returned from a trip and came back to hear little children asking, 'Where is the new Wal-Mart?' I told them it's on our most historic road."

The Wal-Mart also happens to be in the middle of utter mayhem. On a recent day, merchants of watermelons and cold water maneuvered their rickety pushcarts through a nearby tumble of traffic; an ice cream cart competed for space with a feather-duster hawker and a bone-thin man in his underwear brushing his teeth on the side of the highway.

The Grand Trunk Road, in that sense, still resembles the Grand Trunk Road described by Rudyard Kipling more than a century ago: "a river of life as nowhere else exists in the world."
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To protect its smaller merchants, the Indian government has ordered that Wal-Mart sell only to wholesalers, as well as business owners and their families and friends, a move that has eased the tensions among the merchant associations and left-wing political parties. Business owners are allowed to grant access to the store to up to three friends and family members, and many others are clamoring to borrow membership cards for a chance to benefit from the low prices.

Even so, Wal-Mart is unlikely to beat the wallahs, as many of the workers offering their wares are known. After all, experts say that only 3 percent of India's retail market is organized domestically.

Meanwhile, the Indian government -- wary of upsetting wallahs and political factions -- has been careful to limit foreign investment in single-brand retailers. Sweden's IKEA, the world's biggest furniture retailer, recently called off a $1 billion investment plan due to the restrictions, according to reports in the Indian news media.

Wal-Mart has also been mindful of local sensibilities. It has pointed out, for example, that more than 90 percent of its shelves here are stocked with Indians' favorite products, as well as household names such as Amul, a butter and dairy brand.

That's not to say everyone is welcoming Wal-Mart. India Foreign Direct Investment Watch, a national coalition of labor unions, environmentalists, nonprofit groups and academics, has said that the company will eventually hurt shopkeepers, even if its store is not open to everyone in the general public.

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Stock Market-Trading Secrets Tips-Tricks Advice Trends Stock Market of India

2009-07-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

While making an investment in Indian stock market there are lots of thing you should consider before it. I will guide you most important thing and tips that you can implement while making any investment in stock market of India. These stock market tips and tricks are based on many years of expertise experience and as a professional expert in Indian stock market. These are the Stock market secrets ........

Buy at low and sell at high: - This is way to make money in stock market that you should buy at lower prices and should sell at higher prices. It determines the success and failure of an investor in stock market of India. Stock Market Trend: - If you want to be a successful investor in stock market of India you should have perfect idea of stock market and what is going on in the stock market. For this you should have up to date with Indian stock market news.

If stock market is going up try to search out reason behind it. If market is going down then also try the same. Make your mind calculation with these points and then come to a final decision whether you should keep sell or buy. Down and up it is the duty of stock market of India. Stay longer with stock market may result in profit or may be results in loss, it’s totally depends upon the reason why these major up downs have been taking place in stock market. In case you have got the right point than you will get otherwise loss.

Current Trend of Stock Market: - As per current trend of stock market it has been seen that once stock market rise at higher speed it down also with same speed and if stock market have gone down there is more possibilities of getting up. This is the current market trends but it can be change in future.

Keep patience: - Patience is also plays a vital role in your winning and losing. In stock market many people’s take immediate decisions which can result in big losses later on. This is the nature of stock market every step should be taken after a deep thinking and consideration.

BSE Sensex to open cautiously, outlook hazy

2009-07-08T22:46:00.000-07:00

Enlarge Photo People watch a large screen displaying India's benchmark share index on the facade of the...

Thu, Jul 9 09:44 AM

NEW DELHI (Reuters) The BSE Sensex is expected to start cautiously on Thursday after dropping to their lowest close in more than a month in the previous session, and uncertainties about a global economic recovery will keep investors wary.

There are concerns robust foreign fund inflows, which had lifted the main stock index by nearly half in the June quarter, could slow down sharply and even reverse if there was more pain for the world economy.

Shares in DLF Ltd will be in focus after the Economic Times cited two unnamed company executives as saying the top listed developer had sold its stake in an equal joint venture with Ackruti City to a U.S.-based real estate fund for more than 2 billion rupees ($41 million).

V.K. Sharma, head of research at Anagram Capital, said any pullback would be shortlived.

"We still believe the levels before elections will be revisited," he said, referring to around 12,000 points for the BSE index before the ruling coalition won re-election in

mid-May and sparked a big surge.

The benchmark, which dropped 2.8 percent on Wednesday to 13,769.15, has fallen 7.7 percent this week after the budget disappointed investors on Monday.

Still, it is up 42.7 percent this year after rallying for 16 of the last 17 weeks.

Foreign funds, a major driver for stocks, have poured in $5.8 billion so far in 2009, but there is little clarity on the outlook.

Asian markets were mostly weak with Japan's Nikkei average falling 0.5 percent, hurt by a strong yen, while the MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares excluding Japan was

little changed.

Nifty futures traded in Singapore were up 0.3 percent at 0345 GMT.

Wholesale price index due around 0630 GMT will be watched. The WPI is forecast to have fallen 1.47 percent in the 12 months to June 27, a fourth straight fall, according to a Reuters poll of 10 analysts.

STOCKS TO WATCH

* IOL Netcom Ltd after its board approved raising up to 2.5 billion rupees.

* Amtek group firms Amtek Auto Ltd, Amtek India and Ahmednagar Forgings after their respective boards approved raising funds by issuing warrants to founders.

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Sensex claws back, stabilises

2009-07-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

A day after plunging 869 points on Budget shock, the benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (^BSESN : 13760.74 -409.71), Sensex, on Tuesday gained 127 points in hindsight and low selling pressure. The projected fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent and silence on disinvestment plans in Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's budget speech caused the market to tumble intra-day. However, it recovered by the end of the day's trade as sentiments stabilise and sellers held on to stocks, and the Sensex gained 0.9 per cent to end at 14,170. The national Stock Exchange's Nifty (^NSEI : 4078.9 -123.25) also closed 0.8 per cent up, or 36 points, at 4,202.Auto, FMCG and capital goods gained most while PSU and oil and gas were the major losers. Shares of Reliance Natural Resources Ltd and Suzlon witnessed high number of trades.

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80 Stocks in BSE tremble, due to 'Tech snag'

2009-07-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

Bangalore: On Thursday, the markets witnessed an unusual trend when the prices of nearly 80 stocks listed on Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) were altered by almost 20 percent. The stocks that belong to the 'S' and 'Z' categories usually attract five percent circuit breakers. According to market players, BSE did not issue any clarification during the day, nor did they halt trading at these counters to check the defect.

A senior BSE official told Business Standard that there was a 'Technical snag' and trading would resume on Friday with normal circuit breakers, however, he failed to throw light into the nature of the snag. According to market sources, some brokers were planning to take legal action against Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

Out of the 80 stocks, 30 of them rose over 10 percent and 12 stocks went down by more than 10 percent. Brokers were also asking for additional margins from clients as these erroneous trades had caused them huge losses. Experts feel that this problem occurs when the exchange does not reverse 'Illogical or artificial trades', the price of a particular stock, which is part of this error, remains at a level that it could have never touched in the future. Proper action and withdrawal of all such trades is the need of the hour according to the experts.

A technical glitch was also noticed in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), on Thursday which is the third glitch in a row for the stock exchange in less than a month. Brokers on the Wall Street trading floor, run by NYSE Euronext, had trouble routing orders for more than an hour early in the session. This problem forced the extension of the trading day in NYSE by 15 minutes to finish executing orders.

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Stock Options: Making Money Still Possible in a Volatile Market

2009-07-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

After the last 12 months, investors have a greater understanding about the risks involved with investing in stocks. Perhaps we have all realized that we do not have as much tolerance for risk as we thought we had.

In particular, those nearing retirement have gained renewed appreciation for owning fixed income investments and living debt free. Some maybe questioning whether stocks should be included in their investment portfolio at all, which I would answer yes, but that's an issue for another day.

So how can one go about making money or preserving what he or she has in a volatile market like the one we are witnessing today? Investors should consider using call and put options or structured notes to help reduce the risk of their current investments through broader diversification, and to potentially increase returns.

Call and put options can be used to either speculate on the moves in the market or to hedge your investments against a decreasing market. A call option gives you the right, but not the obligation, to buy an investment in the future at a price agreed upon today. Conversely, a put option gives you the right, but not the obligation, to sell an investment in the future at a price agreed upon today. Call and put options have been used by stock market investors essentially since markets first came into existence.

Structured Notes are prepackaged investment products that use puts and calls to hedge and/or speculate on stock market moves. Investors should consider investment strategies that are designed to reduce your investment risk and be additive to investment returns.

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Property Investment Opportunities

2009-07-03T05:43:00.000-07:00

Property is considered one of the most valuable fixed assets which continue to appreciate with time. Making property investments is a very crucial decision as it involves lots of money. If you are planning to buy another house or apartment then you must take help of some residential property agents. But, if you wish to invest in some commercial property then professional commercial property agents can help you the best.

With the slump in the market the property rates have really dwindled, which makes it the best time for property investments. It is the best time to buy residential and commercial property as the prices have really gone down. It is the time of opportunity to get the best value of your money; property agents can help you in getting best deals on your property investments.

As, the property prices have gone down drastically, it is the best time for making strategic property investments. You can make maximum out of the low property costs with the help of your property agents. Property agents have complete knowledge of the market trends and have complete information about the areas in which property rates have slash down.

Property agents provide you with complete valuation of the property according to market prices before you make the investments. The drop in the prices has made it possible for you to buy property that was otherwise not within your reach. Property agents can do the market research and guide you making an informed decision and a valuable purchase.

Selecting the Right Construction Contractors for Your Custom Home

2009-07-03T05:36:00.000-07:00

There is no dearth of building and construction services providers in the market but it is very important to make the right selection. This article contains valuable information that will help you in selecting the right construction contractor and make an informed decision. For building your dream house you should only trust professional construction contractors, who have experience and expertise both.

The best way to know about the construction contractors is from the property agents. Property agents have good knowledge about the local building and construction services providers and they can also brief you on their reputation and the quality of their work.

The second way to know about the local construction contractors is by getting reference. Before making any final decision visit some of the houses that are made by the building and construction services providers that you have short listed. This will give you a fair idea about their work and also the goodwill of the construction contractors.

As, it is an ongoing relationship of more than a year with the construction contractor till the house is ready, it is advisable to select a construction contractor who has a good image in the market to avoid dispute. It is very important to establish a great working relationship as this help in keeping the project on track and minimize the hassles related to cost and changes in the blueprints.

It is very important to investigate about the construction contractor you are planning to hire. And, also make it very clear to your construction contractor the kind work you are expecting. Be clear about the construction price before hand and also be prepared for some extra expenses if there are deviations in the plan.

GLOBAL MARKETS - Asia stocks slip, drop limited after U.S. data

2009-07-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Asian stocks retreated on Friday and the dollar edged up after a disappointingly big drop in U.S. employment prompted investors to pull back from commodities, resource-linked shares and higher-yielding currencies.

But the equity market decline across Asia was limited as the report showing that U.S. companies slashed nearly half a million jobs in June did not shake hopes that a slow recovery is under way.

The Australian dollar, whose 12 percent surge against the U.S. dollar this year has been closely tied to the four-month rally in stocks, edged up as the U.S. payrolls report had limited fallout.

Analysts at Rabobank said the U.S. jobs report was a "reality check" for investors who had become overly optimistic about how quickly the global economy could recover from its deepest recession in decades.

Oil and copper extended their slide. U.S. crude struck a one-month low and was down 27 cents a barrel at $66.46. Government bonds jumped, with the benchmark Japanese 10-year yield touching a three-month low.

"Share losses were limited as investors here did not necessarily take it as a sign of a further slowdown of global economies. Belief that economic fundamentals are near their bottom is still firm here," said Won Jong-hyuck, a market analyst at SK Securities in Seoul.

The MSCI index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dipped 0.6 percent and was down about 1 percent during the first three trading days of the third quarter.

In the April-June quarter, the MSCI benchmark for Asian shares surged 32 percent -- its biggest quarterly gain since 1993 -- on investor hopes that Asia's emerging economies would help lead the global economy out of the doldrums.

Japan's Nikkei average shed 1 percent, dragged down by a 6.3 percent slide in Seven & I Holdings when the operator of department stores and supermarkets reported an unexpected drop in quarterly profit. Shares of oil distributor Nippon Oil lost 2.6 percent.

Asian stocks held up relatively well after the U.S. S&P 500 slid 2.9 percent on the jobs data. U.S. markets are closed later in the day in observance of the Independence Day holiday on Saturday.

In currencies, the dollar edged up as investors favoured the greenback as a safe haven while positions in riskier currencies and assets were cut.

The dollar index, a gauge of its performance against six major currencies, edged up slightly to 80.324 .

The euro slipped slightly to $1.3990 from near $1.4003 in late New York trade, down from a one-month peak near $1.42 hit earlier in the week and hit by hedge fund selling before the long U.S. weekend. The dollar was little changed at 95.96 yen .

The worries about the recovery outlook added fuel to gains in government bonds.

The 10-year JGB yield was down 2.5 basis points at 1.330 percent, with some buying spurred after an auction of the maturity found solid demand the previous day despite a bigger monthly amount to help pay for stimulus spending.

But Japan's low yields have prompted domestic investors to go abroad in search of higher returns.

Data from the Ministry of Finance on Thursday showed domestic investors snapped up 1.53 trillion yen ($16 billion) of foreign bonds in the weekend ending June 27, the biggest such weekly purchases in four years. Analysts said those purchases were mainly concentrated in U.S. Treasuries.

Benchmark U.S. Treasury yields are about 2.2 percentage points above JGB yields, holding near the widest such level in eight months and making them attractive to Japanese investors.

News Source : GLOBAL MARKETS - Asia stocks slip, drop limited after U.S. data

BSE Sensex volatile ahead of economic data

2009-07-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

The BSE Sensex see-sawed in early trade on Thursday as investors awaited key economic data later in the day that could outline a roadmap for economic policy measures.

State-run oil firms led by Oil and Natural Gas Corp were key gainers after India unexpectedly raised gasoline and diesel prices, while Reliance Industries was weak over uncertainty on a gas supply deal with a former group firm.

The index opened up higher but quickly slipped to negative territory.

"Caution is visible in the market trend. There has already been a strong run-up, and that is weighing. Nobody is willing to hold onto large positions," said D.D. Sharma, senior vice president at Anand Rathi Securities.

"The real direction for the market will only come after the Budget," he said.

The annual economic survey is expected to be presented in Parliament around noon (0630 GMT) and could be an indicator to the policy direction to be outlined in the budget next week.

Investors expect the government to unveil pro-reform measures in the budget such as a auction of third-generation wireless spectrum and stake sales in state firms to raise cash.

Oil firms led the gains on hope of easing subsidy burden incurred from selling products at discounted rates. On Wednesday, the government raised petrol and diesel prices by as much as 10 percent, the first increase this year.

ONGC shares were up 4.2 percent at 1,096.85 rupees, oil marketing firm Indian Oil Corp rose 3.1 percent to 558 rupees, Hindustan Petroleum Corp gained 2 percent to 317.50 rupees, while Bharat Petroleum Corp added 1.2 percent to 459 rupees.

Top aluminium producer Hindalco was up 1 percent at 84.25 rupees after lenders agreed to relax terms of a $982 million bank loan. The stock had slumped on Wednesday after it reported profits fell sharply in 2008/09.

Among key losers, Reliance Industries was down 0.4 percent to 2,052 rupees after it said it would appeal to the Supreme Court against a ruling to enter into a gas supply deal with former group firm Reliance Natural Resources Ltd on unfavourable terms.

Shares of auto firms were also weak on worries over higher fuel prices hitting demand for vehicles. Auto stocks had rallied on Wednesday as data showed most brands posted strong monthly sales growth.

Top car maker Maruti Suzuki was down 1.4 percent at 1,055.55 rupees, largest vehicles maker Tata Motors slipped 0.9 percent to 296.50 rupees, while two-wheeler maker Hero Honda fell 0.8 percent to 1,387 rupees.

Weekly inflation data, also expected around noon, is also in focus. A Reuters poll of analysts forecast the wholesale price index to have fallen 1.35 percent in the 12 months to June 20

In the broader market, 1,244 gainers outpaced 697 losers on average volume of 93 million shares.

The 50-share NSE Index was up 0.1 percent at 4,295 points.

TOP 3 STOCKS BY VOLUME

* Jagran Prakashan on 5.7 million shares

* NIIT on 5 million shares

* Satyam Computer on 4.1 million shares

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