
THE Australian dollar inched towards US70 cents this afternoon and shares rose as bargain hunters swooped on healthcare stocks. The was trading at US69.91 cents from yesterday’s close of...
The report discusses the recent failures of Deutsche Borse, Euronext, Maquarie Bank, and Nasdaq to achieve a merger with the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Financial Insights believes that New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is now well positioned to accomplish what others have not, even in the face of further challenges from Nasdaq. Financial limitations of the players, regulatory issues, and cultural biases will each play a role in how this dance unfolds.
"Consolidation in the United States and Europe will continue to be a fact of life over the next 5-10 years. As the largest exchanges become even larger through mergers, look for the smaller national and regional exchanges to find ways to remain relevant. This will occur either by partnering/merging with the larger exchanges or by trying to develop technology that will give them an edge in wrestling away small pieces of the pie," said Randy Grossman, research manager, Capital Markets at Financial Insights.
The research further analyzes the potential for consolidation of national exchanges in Asia. Financial Insights predicts very limited consolidation, however partnerships and strategic alliances will continue. In addition, the Tokyo Stock Exchange will be investing heavily in its infrastructure to prevent a recurrence of its recent technology meltdowns
Microsoft Exchange server is one of the sensitive areas where all the changes, attributes and user properties deserve a scrutinised monitoring to prevent from worse effects on the information exchange and the email communication process. You can’t let attribute and properties changes impact its availability, message security and compliance. So a proactive monitoring of all the exchange attributes and users is recommended and that's what 'Exchange Reports' in ADManager Plus does.
The Active Directory Exchange Reports provides a quick insight into exchange attributes of the users and members of the distribution and non-distribution lists. This helps the administrators to validate the members and update members to or from the distribution list; view the proxy addresses, email addresses, mailbox store, recipient settings, POP3 etc.


TORONTO, April 7 (Reuters) - Toronto's main stock index finished down more than 2 percent on Tuesday, led lower by heavyweight energy and financial issues.
Global toxic asset concerns shook shares of banks and insurers, while oil prices fell nearly 4 percent and pulled down the energy group.
The S&P/TSX composite index .GSPTSE unofficially closed down 184.31 points, or 2.04 percent, at 8,831.86. All 10 of the TSX's main sectors were lower.


The Securities and Exchange Commission today holds its first policymaking session of the year, and under political pressure plans to introduce several proposals to restrict the short-selling of stock that many economists, including those inside the agency, say are likely to have little effect.
A number of financial firm executives, investors and lawmakers have blamed aggressive short-selling for collapsing the stocks of banks and other Wall Street companies last fall. In a short sale, traders make money when a firm's shares decline in value.
Today's meeting, the first held under new SEC Chairman Mary L. Schapiro, will examine several proposals to curb short sales. The commission is expected to formalize the proposals, allowing for 60 days of comment before deciding to vote on whether to implement them.
The proposals would try to make it more difficult for short sellers to push down a stock's price when it is already declining. One way to do so would be to allow speculators to bet against a stock only when it moves at a higher price than its last trade. On any given day, a stock may trade more than tens of thousands of times.
A more dramatic proposal would ban short-selling in a stock if it has declined by a set percentage in a day.
The SEC has been here before. In 2007, after intense study by the commission's staff and economists, the SEC decided to end the uptick rule, a Depression-era regulation that allowed people to bet against a stock only when it was "ticking" up.
Last fall, in the market crisis, the SEC temporarily banned short-selling in financial stocks -- a move then-SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said he regretted as a hasty response to political pressure.
In recent weeks, the SEC's economists have circulated an outside study that found that the removal of the uptick rule in 2007 had no effect of the price of stocks.
Charles M. Jones, a professor at Columbia Business School who co-authored the study, said he was skeptical about proposals to regulate short-selling.
"It's really being done because there's this perception that there are bear raiders, or people pushing the price around, and there is concern that there are short sellers doing that," he said. "Call them manipulative or abusive. But we haven't been able to find them in the data."
SEC officials say they are proposing the rules simply to give investors confidence that the commission is evaluating whether abusive techniques are unfairly driving down share prices. They say that it is not a foregone conclusion that the new rules will take effect; rather, they are hoping for a period of studyLONDON (Dow Jones)--Rising concern over the global economy is pushing risk aversion back up again and leaving the dollar up against most other majors in Europe Wednesday.
In what Commerzbank described as the "hangover after the G20 party," the focus of financial markets is back on the uncertainties over the global economy and the continued risks to the banking system despite all the recent efforts to increase liquidity and ease credit conditions.
See chart at
http://www.dowjoneswebservices.com/chart/view/1872
The International Monetary Fund helped to kick this off with its warning that total global toxic debts are likely to prove much more than originally anticipated.
Meanwhile, the second round of the U.S. Federal Reserve's $1 trillion facility was poorly received late Tuesday, making it likely that the U.S. central bank might have to explore other ways of injecting liquidity.
On the economic front, a 50.4% collapse in Japanese exports over the last year gives some indication of the decline in global demand.
Ireland's plans to introduce tax hikes on the middle classes to help raise funds for bailing out its banks have increased the risk of a further slowdown in growth.
Analysts reckon that this will increase pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy further and contribute to further euro weakness.
Geoffrey Yu, a senior currency strategist at UBS in London, summed up the general malaise, saying "investors are entering the earnings season with confidence on the wane and expectations are being scaled down."
As investors shied away from risk, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was left 2.7% lower and the Nikkei was down 2.3%. In Europe, most bourses were down between 0.5% and 1.5%.
The gloomy mood is likely to be reinforced by data from Germany later in the day showing that factory orders declined by 2.7% in February.
By 0930 GMT, the dollar had fallen to Y99.67 from Y100.43 late Tuesday in New York, according to EBS.
The euro was down at Y131.44 from Y133.40 and at $1.3187 from $1.3271.
The dollar was up at CHF1.1488 from CHF1.1456 while the pound fell to $1.4653 from $1.4736.
In Eastern Europe, most currencies remained under pressure as investors steered clear of risk.
The euro rose to HUF298.25 from HUF295.51 and to PLN4.4979 from PLN4.4673. The single currency is also up at CZK26.643 from CZK26.636.
-By Nicholas Hastings,
TALK BACK: We invite readers to send us comments on this or other financial news topics. Please email us at TalkBackEurope@dowjones.com. Readers should include their full names, work or home addresses and telephone numbers for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit and publish your comments along with your name; we reserve the right not to publish reader comments.
* Higher-yielding currencies down as risk appetite wanes
* Euro extends losses after euro zone Q4 GDP revised lower
(Adds details, updates prices)
By Vivianne Rodrigues
NEW YORK, April 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. dollar gained on Tuesday as a drop in global stocks, ahead of the start of what is expected to be a weak corporate results season, boosted the greenback's allure as a safe haven.
Data in Europe showing the euro zone economy recorded its deepest-ever quarterly fall in the fourth quarter of 2008, also weighed on the euro. For details, see [ID:nN07398955]
Bank stocks and industrial conglomerate shares led declines in Europe and on Wall Street.
"There is caution ahead of the earnings season," said Matthew Strauss, senior currency strategist at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto. "Although we had some optimism about the economy in recent sessions, this earnings season would be a reality check." nvestors will learn more about the recession's toll on U.S. corporate profits in the comings weeks. According to data from Thomson Reuters, first-quarter earnings for S&P 500 companies are expected to fall by almost 37 percent versus a year ago as global demand slumps. In late afternoon trading in New York, the euro fell 1.0 percent to $1.3272
In Europe, data was revised down to show the euro zone economy fell 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter from a previous 1.5 percent reading. The report coincided with a 12th straight month of decline in British manufacturing output in February and a record 50 percent fall in March steel output in Germany. [ID:nL7459179]
Meanwhile, a Business Roundtable survey released earlier showed U.S. chief executives' confidence in the economy set a second consecutive all-time low in the first quarter. More than two-thirds of the CEOs surveyed said they planned more layoffs and capital spending cuts in the next six months. [ID:nN07398955].
The dollar rose 0.5 percent against a basket of currencies to trade at to 85.189 .DXY. Investors tend to buy the dollar as a haven amid global risk aversion despite weak U.S. economic fundamentals.
RISK AVERSION
Eurodollar is being "driven down by a return to risk aversion," said Dan Cook, a senior market analyst at IG Markets Inc. in Chicago.
Cook added that if declines in stocks accelerate, eurodollar may once again move lower and test Tuesday's session lows at 1.3228-1.3227.
The euro also slid against the yen to trade 1.5 percent lower at 133.33 yen Meanwhile, the Australian dollar see-sawed against its U.S. counterpart after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates by 25 basis points to a record low 3.0 percent. [ID:nSYD452265]. The Australian dollar was last unchanged at US$0.7122
The New Zeland dollar also fell, sliding about 2 percent to a session low of 0.5743


From the rare pink diamond to the classic white and natural champagnes, Argyle Diamonds are firing the world's imagination. And why shouldn't they? The Argyle Diamond Mine is the world's biggest producer of natural diamonds and contributes approximately one-third of the world's natural supply.

That easily surpassed the cost of the previous record holder known as "The Hancock Red", which fetched a "paltry" US$926,000 per carat in 1987.
Blue diamonds are rare but not unheard of and the ones in spectacular condition almost always fetch a huge price. Despite this sale, the most famous remains the Hope Diamond, a 45.52 carat monster that has been owned by everyone from King Louis XIV of France to a rich socialite named Evalyn Walsh McLean. It's the largest gemstone of its kind ever found and now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The new record holder for price isn't quite as large, so how it could manage to reap those sparkling bucks? Experts say it's all in the quality of the cut and the "fancy vivid blue hue", a result of trace amounts of an element called boron in its crystal structure. That makes it worth about 10 times what a regular white diamond would bring.
So who owns this incredible piece of jewelry? A company called Moussaieff Jewellers in London, which specializes in acquiring such rare specimens, ponyed up the money after a private Asian collector decided he needed a little - or in this case a lot more - cash.
Which just goes to show you don't always need yellow to turn a shade of blue into something greenIn his speech at an investor conference overnight, Fed Gov Kevin Warsh blamed the “panic” that hit financial markets in late-2007 for contributing to, and then magnifying, the depth of the recession. Warsh clearly laid the blame on “faulty private practices and flawed public policies” and concluded with an admonition to fellow policymakers that their policy preferences must be communicated clearly, credibly and consistently and backed by concrete action.
More of a contingency plan rather than a direct policy initiative, the Fed along with the BOE, ECB,SNB and BOJ announced currency swap lines in EUR, JPY, GBP and CHF. The plan, if used, would enable the Fed to provide foreign currency liquidity to US financial institutions and will initially have a shelf life up to October 30. The amounts committed are GBP30 bln, EUR80 bln, JPY10 tln and CHF40 bln.
Looking at market movers in Asia this morning, the UK Times carried a report that the IMF warns that toxic debts held by banks and insurance companies across the globe could spiral up to $4 tln, in its latest assessment of the global economy scheduled for publication on April 21. This marks an increase from the $2.2 tln in US-originated assets to $3.1 tln plus an additional $900 bln for toxic assets originated in Europe and Asia. The IMF noted in January that early write-downs came from sub-prime mortgages and associated instruments, but now it notes that degradation is also occurring in general loan books of banks as the deepening recession takes its toll. This story accounted for a heavy sell-off of JPY crosses early in the Asian session, EURJPY down to 133.60 and AUDJPY down to 70.83. USDJPY eased off to a 100.25 low.
Reports circulated that the US Securities and Exchange Commission is considering implementing an updated version of the uptick rule whereby shorting would only be allowed at a price above the highest available bid, ie stocks can only be shorted on the offer rather than by hitting the bid. In addition, the Commission is reportedly working on a circuit breaker proposal that would temporarily prohibit short sales if a stock had already fallen by a certain percentage, or invoke the revised uptick rule instead. S&P futures were marginally higher after the news but struggled to maintain gains in a broader risk-averse environment.
The big mover of the day was the AUD on the back of the RBA rate decision. Market opinion seemed to switch course regularly since the last meeting. Initial calls for rate cuts were knocked back after some better-than-expected data but dovish themes soon re-emerged, particularly over the past 2 days, when revered analysts and the market predicted a 50bp cut. In the end, the RBA drove a middle course and cut the official cash rate by 25bp to 3.0%. In its accompanying statement, the RBA noted that demand for credit and labour was weak and capacity utilization was off its peak and would continue to decline over the rest of the year. Hence the RBA judged that there was scope for a further modest adjustment to the cash rate. The stance of monetary policy together with the substantial fiscal initiatives will provide significant support to domestic demand during the period ahead. The contraction of the global economy has continued into the first few months of the year but it believed that the massive global stimulus packages that had been unveiled in many economies should help contain the downturn over the rest of the year. The AUD’s kneejerk reaction to the cut was lower, but only by some 50 ticks. A sharp rebound ensued which eventually brought us back to the highs of the day as traders latched on to the comment that future rate cuts would be modest.
Prior to this, the BOJ had left the o/n call rate target unchanged at 0.1% in a unanimous decision. As expected, focus remained on broadening the scope of collateral accepted in its money market operations, with municipal bonds now accepted as it attempts to ease corporate financial conditions. The BOJ maintained its recent assessment of the economy, stating that conditions were deteriorating sharply. However, it did expect the rate of decline in exports and industrial production to moderate from now on.










Trading foreign exchange is exciting and potentially very profitable, but there are also significant risk factors. It is crucially important that you fully understand the implications of margin trading and the particular pitfalls and opportunities that foreign exchange trading offers. On these pages, we offer you a brief introduction to the Forex markets as well as their participants and some strategies that you can apply. However, if you are ever in doubt about any aspect of a trade, you can always discuss the matter in-depth with one of our dealers. They are available 24 hours a day on the Saxo Bank online trading system, SaxoTrader.
The benchmark of its service is efficient execution, concise analysis and expertise – all achieved whilst maintaining an attractive and competitive cost structure. Today, Saxo Bank offers one of Europe's premier all-round services for trading in derivative products and foreign exchange. We count amongst our employees numerous dealers and analysts, each of whom has many years experience and a wide and varied knowledge of the markets – gained both in our home countries and in international financial centres. When trading foreign exchange, futures and other derivative products, we offer 24-hour service, extensive daily analysis, individual access to our Research & Analysis department for specific queries, and immediate execution of trades through our international network of banks and brokers. All at a price considerably lower than that which most companies and private investors normally have access to.
The combination of our strong emphasis on customer service, our strategy and trading recommendations, our strategic and individual hedging programmes, along with the availability to our clients of the latest news and information builds a strong case for trading an individual account through Saxo Bank.
Terms of trading are agreed individually depending on the volume of your transactions, but are generally much lower in cost when compared to banks and brokers. Your margin deposit can be cash or government securities, bank guarantees etc. Large corporate or institutional clients may be offered trading facilities on the strength of their balance sheet. The minimum deposit accepted for an individual trading account depends on the account type. Trade confirmations and real-time account overview are built into SaxoTrader, while further account information can be produced in accordance with your specific requirements
| • You buy euro | We quote EURUSD at Bid 0.9875 and Ask 0.9878, which means that you can sell 1 euro for 0.9875 USD or buy 1 euro for 0.9878 USD. In this example you buy euro 100,000, at the quote price of 0.9878 (ask price) per euro. |
| • The market moves in your favor | Later the market turns in favour of the euro and the EURUSD is now quoted at Bid 0.9894 and Ask 0.9896. |
| • Now you sell your euro and get the profit | You sell euro at a Bid price of 0.9894. |
| • The profit is calculated as follows | Sell price-buy price x size of trade (0.9894 minus 0.9878) multiplied by 100.000 = USD 140 Profit (Note that the profit or loss is always expressed in the secondary currency) |
Unlike trading on the stock market, the Forex market is not conducted by a central exchange, but on the “interbank” market, which is thought of as an OTC (over the counter) market. Trading takes place directly between the two counterparts necessary to make a trade, whether over the telephone or on electronic networks all over the world. The main centres for trading are Sydney, Tokyo, London, Frankfurt and New York. This worldwide distribution of trading centres means that the Forex market is a 24-hour market

This short introduction explains the basics of trading Forex online, a brief explanation of the markets and the major benefits of trading Forex online. There are also two scenarios describing the implications of trading in a bear as well as a bull market to better acquaint you with some of the risks and opportunities of the largest and most liquid market in the world.
As an additional aid for those who are new to Forex, there is also a glossary at the bottom of this text which explains some of the terms used in connection with currency trading.