Things are a bit volatile out there

Listed on the London Stock Exchange:

BARC 288.60p -16.50p (-5.41%)
CAU 48.00p +0.50p (+1.05%)
CRWN 30.50p 0.00p (0.00%)
FPER 5.38p +0.13p (+2.48%)
FCCN 42.00p -4.00p (-8.70%)
GAR 3.38p 0.00p (0.00%)
JKX 232.00p -2.30p (-0.98%)
LLOY 55.44p -1.18p (-2.08%)
LLPE 59.75p -0.25p (-0.43%)
MAI 156.00p -1.00p (-0.64%)
QQ. 128.00p -1.50p (-1.16%)
RBS 43.49p -3.24p (-6.93%)
UNG 2.75p +0.13p (+4.76%)

Listed on New York Stock Exchange:

C $3.79 -$0.17 (-4.29%)

This week's big things have the markets sent the markets up and down. First, BP's continuing problems regarding the oil spillage in the Gulf of Mexico after the top kill method fails to plug the leak. Second, Prudential's bid for AIG's Asian business fails after the US State refuses to lower the price. The revolt from it's shareholders is due to the price being too high in the current economic climate. The firm will have to pay massive fees to the advisers and a break fee to AIG leading to concerns to it's future. Thirdly, generally good company news from the US stock markets sent the UK markets up. Lastly, worse than expected US job figures have caused a classic overreaction through sell off of stocks. Lets hope for the best which it will come.

Greek debt worries part III - Bail out!

Greece has finally been bailed out by the EU and the IMF. They will provide €110bn to shore up the ailing economy in return for €30bn worth of austerity cuts and tax rises over three years. The EU will provide the majority of the funds, €80bn, and the IMF will come up with the remainder. The move is unpopular in Germany because it will have to provide most of the funds, since the economy is the strongest in the euro zone. The markets should clam down a bit when they open on Tuesday. If the EU stopped messing out long ago then the markets may have never spooked in the first place. Oh well, these things will always happen again and again. The UK may head that way if they keep on dithering. 

The US stated that BP would have to cover the costs of the oil spill which started to occur last week when the oil rig collapsed during the fire. The latter said that they are doing everything they can to prevent an environmental disaster in the Gulf. I think that would send the shares down even further because the potentially high cost of the event in terms of this financial year profits.