Finance & Banking Sectors Still the Major Players in IT Recruitment

A leading UK recruitment agency in the IT jobs sector has released data from their Q1 2009 records which indicates a strong resilience in the financial and banking sectors regarding their Information Technology recruiting power.The recruitment agency in question is well placed to provide a litmus test for the UK IT jobs industry having nationwide coverage and a wealth of experience in sourcing and placing vacancies and candidates in the IT sector. The strength of these sectors spans both temporary/contractual positions as well as permanent vacancies. The figures used are all based on actual client requirements that were received over the given period; as such they show national averages and consequently do not reflect specific regional differences.Contractual positions: 1. Finance; 2. Banking; 3. Investment Banking; 4. Government; 5. Telecoms.Permanent positions: 1. Finance; 2. Banking; 3. Pensions; 4. Telecoms; 5. E-Commerce.Given the well documented problems in these sectors in the second half of 2008 and the mixed results coming from the large financial institutions in 2009 so far, it is encouraging to note that these major players in IT recruitment are still topping the list for demand for IT talent. This helps to show the resilience of the IT sector, especially in organisations such as those in banking and finance which heavily rely on high tech systems and computerised data collection and distribution.Although in the back end of 2008 there were numerous redundancies across all job and industry sectors, including IT, the strength and importance of IT workers is borne out by the strong showing from these sectors which were most badly hit in the UK recession. Highly skilled technical staff in the demanding fields of IT programming, analytics and system architecture will always be in demand and are still able to command excellent salaries. Forming the lynchpins of virtually innumerable financial related institutions, the IT systems experts are finding that their skills are once again becoming increasingly in demand as the large organisations start to plan for the upturn that can be expected in the wider economy over the coming months.There may be more of a tendency in the short term for some companies to favour offering shorter term contracts, but as the economy stabilises and begins to show signs of growth we can expect to see a slight shift towards long-term and permanent contracts being offered to the most skilled IT staff, because the need for such professionals will be increasing all the time and companies will be keen to hold onto the top talent.Indeed some companies may already be rueing releasing IT workers last year only to find that they are now urgently in need of the very same skills even now as the first signs of recovery are being felt.The agency continues to closely the monitor the entire IT sector and as the year progresses will be making further informed observations about the UK IT jobs sector. On this evidence, the IT industry certainly remains a strong career path for relative stability and demand for skills.

Garden Fountains Are Perfect for Your House

Having a beautiful garden filled with flowers or even some plants, shrubs and trees, there would still be something missing. Garden fountains are what you must be missing. There are many designs for these fountains, ranging from ornamental statues, platform and wall-types. Fountains are beautiful accents for your garden plus they make a soothing water sound that freshens up your tired mind. For a huge garden you may want to go for bug garden fountains as well to complement its size. For the small gardens you can go for free-standing one or a statue fountain. Fountains can have waterfall that look really classy in the garden. You may also install a fountain with a small pond in your garden, with fishes in it. The water pond kind of fountain you can have a statue that may be used as the centerpiece in the garden. The exterior of the house will add an aesthetic sense to the outdoors and the fountains can be the central focus of the garden.When choosing a garden fountain for your garden or yard, be sure to pick one that is alright with your environment. If you’re in a place wherein the weather changes drastically then a heavy, stone-carved fountain can be the best for you. These fountains are difficult or impossible to store for the winter months. Different weather temperature can cause your fountain to crack and spill the water left inside. Another thing to consider whenever planning on putting up a garden fountain is its water capacity and its pump. To get the best results you can choose the fountains that pump five gallons every minute.There are several different themes available for your garden fountain. You can make garden fountains as basis for your garden theme. There are fountains that have themes such as animals, flowers, birds and/or plants. There are fountains with statues of people, fairy and/or angels. You can make garden themes based on such statues. If you want to decide on a theme for your garden, you may sprinkle different accessories in the garden such as glowing stars, wind-chimes, and many others. An angel fountain in the garden that has a bit of accessories and beautiful flowers will truly make your garden.There is nothing more refreshing compared to the sound of soothing water in a beautiful atmosphere. Life can get too tiring, and it is wonderful to simply get away from it within a beautiful environment. The fountain history goes back to the Babylonians. Originally, they were symbol of property. A fountain was used as the main piece in their hanging gardens.Garden fountains are beautiful and great additions that may add serenity to just about every garden or an outdoor patio. When picking a fountain, you may want it to last a long time in addition to being the centerpiece in your garden. With so many different kinds of fountains available, it could be very difficult to decide which one that’s ideal for your garden.

S&P 500 Rallies As U.S. Dollar Pulls Back Towards Weekly Lows

Key Insights
The strong pullback in the U.S. dollar provided significant support to stocks.
Treasury yields have pulled back after touching new highs, which served as an additional positive catalyst for S&P 500.
A move above 3730 will push S&P 500 towards the resistance level at 3760.
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Pfizer Rallies After Announcing A Huge Price Hike For Its COVID-19 Vaccines
S&P 500 is currently trying to settle above 3730 as traders’ appetite for risk is growing. The U.S. dollar has recently gained strong downside momentum as the BoJ intervened to stop the rally in USD/JPY. Weaker U.S. dollar is bullish for stocks as it increases profits of multinational companies and makes U.S. equities cheaper for foreign investors.

The leading oil services company Schlumberger is up by 9% after beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Schlumberger’s peers Baker Hughes and Halliburton have also enjoyed strong support today.

Vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna gained strong upside momentum after Pfizer announced that it will raise the price of its coronavirus vaccine to $110 – $130 per shot.

Biggest losers today include Verizon and Twitter. Verizon is down by 5% despite beating analyst estimates on both earnings and revenue. Subscriber numbers missed estimates, and traders pushed the stock to multi-year lows.

Twitter stock moved towards the $50 level as the U.S. may conduct a security review of Musk’s purchase of the company.

From a big picture point of view, today’s rebound is broad, and most market segments are moving higher. Treasury yields have started to move lower after testing new highs, providing additional support to S&P 500. It looks that some traders are ready to bet that Fed will be less hawkish than previously expected.

S&P 500 Tests Resistance At 3730

S&P 500 has recently managed to get above the 20 EMA and is trying to settle above the resistance at 3730. RSI is in the moderate territory, and there is plenty of room to gain additional upside momentum in case the right catalysts emerge.

If S&P 500 manages to settle above 3730, it will head towards the next resistance level at 3760. A successful test of this level will push S&P 500 towards the next resistance at October highs at 3805. The 50 EMA is located in the nearby, so S&P 500 will likely face strong resistance above the 3800 level.

On the support side, the previous resistance at 3700 will likely serve as the first support level for S&P 500. In case S&P 500 declines below this level, it will move towards the next support level at 3675. A move below 3675 will push S&P 500 towards the support at 3640.