It is time to investigate your options for financing your commercial needs September 15, 2011 HEAD OF TRADE AND WORKING CAPITAL, UK AND IRELAND, BARCLAYS CORPORATE IN THE current economic climate, efficient cash flow management must be at the top of the agenda for UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs). With the slowdown in the economy and increasingly high inflation, cashflow suffers, as customers take longer to pay their bills. [...]
FTSE closes higher after Euro chiefs reassure on debt crisis September 14, 2011 BRITAIN’S leading shares closed higher yesterday after Europe’s top bureaucrat said plans for a common euro bond, seen by many as a key tool to help end the regional debt crisis, would be presented shortly. A common bond would give the weaker peripheral countries access to cheaper funds, backed by core Europe, although regional paymaster [...]
US stocks climb on back of relief rally September 14, 2011 US stocks rose one per cent in a third day of gains yesterday after European leaders displayed new urgency in efforts to contain the Eurozone debt crisis. German and French leaders called on Greece to implement all financial reforms “strictly and effectively”, a German government spokesman said. Greece expects policymakers to report that Athens is [...]
National Grid bonds are not without risk September 14, 2011 INFLATION stealthily redistributes wealth from those with savings to those with debts – which is why highly indebted governments often turn a blind eye to it. But as important as it is to beat inflation, your investment strategy should be driven by facts, not fear. For those who missed out on the National Savings and [...]
Spotting the very best in charge and credit cards September 14, 2011 REMEMBER when the American Express Gold Card was the celebrity’s payment card of choice in the movies? Well, times have changed. Every bank is offering exclusive cards to its premium customers now – they’re always keen to sign up City high-fliers. But which bank is offering the best deal? Kevin Mountford from MoneySupermarket.com says: “None [...]
China lies at the heart of euro survival September 14, 2011 THE effects of speculation that China would be buying up Italian sovereign debt displayed just how much sway the Chinese government holds over the world currency markets. China has been accumulating foreign currency reserves at a rapid rate – its forex reserves increased by $750bn between June 2010 and June 2011. It is reported that [...]
MBA students go gaga over lessons from pop stars September 14, 2011 LOOK along the business books section in a bookshop and you will find many tomes that promise to teach you how to invest like Warren Buffett or to learn from Bill Gates how a start-up can turn you into a billionaire. But alongside those you will also find another sub-genre of books that promise to [...]
How to teach that bribery doesn’t pay September 14, 2011 CORRUPTION is a bad thing. Widespread bribery can reduce a country’s GDP by up to 1 per cent, according to the World Bank. A trillion dollars is paid in bribes every year. A decade ago, a quarter of Africa’s GDP was paid in bribes. This isn’t just a problem for poor countries. A report by [...]
Uncertainty casts a shadow over uptick September 13, 2011 BRITAIN’S top shares rose yesterday, led by banks which bounced back after recent weakness, although traders were dubious about the rally’s solidity due to persistent fears of a Greek debt default and a sharp rise in Italy’s borrowing costs. The UK benchmark index ended up 44.63 points, or 0.9 per cent, at 5,174.25, recovering from [...]
Stocks across the pond advance on Eurozone hope September 13, 2011 US stocks. gained yesterday as investors bought shares beaten down in recent weeks and bet European leaders would take action soon to ease the Greek debt crisis. Worries the Eurozone crisis could tip the global economy into another recession have pummeled stocks, though the selling has reached a level that some argue a Greek default [...]