Know what to expect from major asset classes in 2013 December 16, 2012 UNCERTAINTY has been characteristic of investing in 2012. As headwinds continue to shake global investment markets, this will likely continue into 2013. But knowing what to broadly expect will help you to align your portfolio and identify opportunities so that, this time next year, you will have achieved decent investment returns. HEADWINDS The Eurozone crisis, [...]
Emerging markets appear attractive despite the risks December 16, 2012 EMERGING markets have outperformed developed markets over the last decade, and since the financial crisis, investors have been piling into funds with exposure to these economies. Investment Management Association data shows that UK retail investors pumped £1.1bn into the sector in 2012, compared to only £174m in 2007. Investing in emerging market stocks is not [...]
Making it in the big bag world December 16, 2012 A GOOD quality leather satchel was a rare find four years ago. The schoolbag market was dominated by canvas and velcro record bags that Julie Deane, founder of the hugely successful Cambridge Satchel Company, found “shabby”. So when she considered possible business ventures, satchels were high on the list. Her timing could not have been [...]
The phone call that stopped a business from singing the blues December 16, 2012 MY MATE and I were thrilled when a beautiful young lady, Sarah, sat down between us with a smile. As two Aussies, we immediately battled for her attention with our attempts at cool charm and quick wit. The event was a 25th wedding anniversary dinner for about 60 guests. Sarah was very relaxed and easily [...]
Immigration rules: open for business December 16, 2012 FIGURES from the 2011 census revealed that 27 per cent of London’s population – some 1.9m people – is foreign-born. Hedge funds, banks, professional services firms, so much of London’s economy depends on its ability to attract and retain skilled international talent. Many come from inside the EU. There are now 579,000 Polish-born immigrants in [...]
Ominous fiscal cliff talk from Fed’s Ben Bernanke spooks the FTSE 100 December 13, 2012 BRITAINS’ leading share index fell yesterday as concerns over US fiscal negotiations resurfaced, prompting investors to consolidate recent gains made during the longest continuous rally of the year. The FTSE 100 index was down 16.24 points, or 0.3 per cent, at 5,929.61, having closed 0.4 per cent higher at a nine-month closing peak on Wednesday [...]
Wall Street’s rally halts over economic fears December 13, 2012 THE S&P 500 ended its six-day winning streak yesterday, retreating as worries intensified that Washington’s “fiscal cliff” negotiations were dragging on with little progress. Anxiety about the drawn-out talks between Democrats and Republicans was enough to offset encouraging data on retail sales and jobless claims . There is concern that tax hikes and spending cuts, [...]
FTSE surges to nine-month high on hopes of further stimulus from Fed December 12, 2012 BRITAIN’S top share index closed at a new nine-month high yesterday, led by an energy sector buoyed by hopes that the US Federal Reserve would continue to provide stimulus for the world’s biggest economy. Oil & Gas and basic materials, which rise and fall with optimism over the economic outlook, combined to added over 13 [...]
Wall St flat as fiscal cliff fears remain high December 12, 2012 US stocks ended nearly flat yesterday, giving up most of the day’s gains after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke reiterated that monetary policy won’t be enough to offset damage from the “fiscal cliff.” His comments followed the Federal Reserve’s announcement of a new stimulus plan, which briefly pushed the S&P 500 to a seven-week high. The [...]
FTSE 100 hits a nine-month closing high after strong German figures December 11, 2012 BRITAIN’S blue-chip index posted its highest close in nine months yesterday, supported by strong German economic data but enduring a late sell-off as it balked at technical resistance. The FTSE 100 closed up 3.34 points, or 0.1 per cent, at 5,924.97, edging off an intraday high of 5,937.93 on a bout of selling in the [...]
