The financial news
If you want to understand the stock exchange, this page should help…
Conversation from a radio report
Studio: And now we go live to the Stock Exchange where Laura, our favourite City girl, has the latest financial news.
Reporter: Yes, thanks Paul. Well, the financial markets have just opened here in London, and already trading has been brisk. The FTSE 100 is up 59 points on close of business yesterday.
Studio: And any company results, Laura?
Reporter: Yes, Paul. HomeStore has announced that pre-tax profits are up, which should help their share price.
Studio: It’s also good news for consumer confidence, Laura?
Reporter: Of course. Consumer spending has been down after rises in the Bank of England base rate and inflation. And homebuyers have been worried about mortgage rates. So it’s great to have some good news from the retail sector.
Studio: And what about the shareholders?
Reporter: Well, obviously HomeStore share-holders will be pleased. All rumours about a merger or acquisition should now be dispelled. And there should be some good dividend payouts, too.
Studio: Great news! Let’s turn to the financial markets now Laura. What’s the picture?
Reporter: Dow Jones and Nasdaq both closed up yesterday and the Nikkei and Hang Seng were both down slightly.
Reporter: Well, oil prices are still surging. Crude is currently trading at $53 per barrel.
Studio: And we all know that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, Laura, but how about the price of bullion?
Reporter: Well, more investors are looking towards gold - perhaps due to fears that share prices may plunge and worries about a potential crash in the housing market. Bullion is at $120 per gramme.
Studio: Thanks very much, Laura, for filling us in on all the latest figures. But my favourite figure is still yours in that suit!
Reporter: Well that’s very nice of you to say so, Paul, but a merger is out of the question.
Vocabulary and phrases
the financial markets = les cours
trading has been brisk = l’activité est soutenue
up 59 points = en hausse de 59 points
close of business = clôture
pre-tax profits = bénéfices avant impôts
share price = cours d’une action
consumer spending = dépenses de consommation
Bank of England base rate = taux de base bancaire
mortgage rates = taux d’emprunt hypothécaire
dividend payouts = dividendes
closed up = étaient cotées en hausse
crude = pétrole brut (ici, jeu de mot: "crude" signifie aussi grossier)
oil prices are surging = le prix du pétrole ne cesse d’augmenter
crash in the housing market = krach dans le marché du logement
the market is rising/falling = les cours sont en hausse/en baisse
shares closed up at 120p = les actions étaient cotées à120 pence en clôture
exchange rate = cours actuel du change
pension fund = caisse de retraite
stocks = valeurs
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