Introducing a gold standard would not cost as much as many people fear September 3, 2012 EVER since the Republican Party decided it would set up a commission on returning to the gold standard, commentators have been discussing the pros and cons of backing the dollar with the yellow metal. One strand of criticism has been the cost of using gold. While there are strong arguments against returning to a gold [...]
Reshuffles rarely succeed in saving bad governments September 3, 2012 THE history of the reshuffle reads like a drab succession of failed careers and forgotten initiatives. Who remembers Harold Macmillan’s ruthless removal of a third of his cabinet in 1962? Who can name the 12 transport secretaries since 1997? Why was Lord Alan Sugar made an “enterprise champion” in 2009? Reshuffles come in many forms, but [...]
Should the government loosen restrictions on house building across Green Belt land? September 3, 2012 YES Tim Leunig Britain’s population is growing, and people need to live somewhere. We can build up, or we can build out. We can’t rely on regenerating former manufacturing sites, because there aren’t enough of them – particularly where housing is most needed. If we don’t built anywhere, prices will shoot up, and lots of [...]
Rapid Responses September 3, 2012 Don’t tax wealth [Re: Clegg’s confused narrative offers no remedy to Britain’s problems, Thursday] Nick Clegg’s suggestion of another tax on wealth is good politics but a dirty way to look for votes. It lacks moral merit and any foresight on how to tackle the deep-rooted problems facing an ailing UK economy in recession. He further [...]
Elusive Draghi set to keep us waiting September 3, 2012 PREDICTING what central bankers will say, when they will say it – or even whether they will show up to deliver a speech – is becoming an inane pursuit. The banker in question is the elusive Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), who was to deliver a speech at the European Parliament [...]
Summer‘s Sun is fading as autumn‘s reality sets in September 3, 2012 THE US markets reopen today after a long holiday weekend. Yesterday’s Labor Day marked the end of summer in the US, and of course the first week in September is when the UK and Europe also gets back to work. Even our politicians return to Westminster, although perhaps it would be better for all of us [...]
The Tipster | WM Morrison may get shopped September 3, 2012 THIS week, supermarket chain WM Morrison will announce its latest half-year numbers for 2012. Expectations are for a decline as a result of fiercer competition in its northern heartland. CMC Market’s price on WM Morrison is 276.97-277.63p. Transport firm Go-Ahead reports full-year figures on Thursday, and the general expectation is that the trains and buses [...]
Gold bugs should remain patient September 3, 2012 For months, it was as if the gold price only had eyes for the US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke. This perception was reinforced as the markets reacted to his speech at Jackson Hole last week, sending the yellow metal to five-month highs. In his speech, Bernanke stopped short of announcing another round of easing. [...]
Analyst picks for 3 September 2012 September 3, 2012 CURRENCY STRATEGIST CHRIS VECCHIO My pick: Short Aussie-dollar Expertise: Fundamental and technical analysis Average time frame of trades: A few hours to a few days We remain short on the burdened Australian dollar, which is set to see a wave of disappointing data over the coming days. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) meets today, [...]
Karpo is a curate’s egg but its kitchen still impresses September 3, 2012 RESTAURANT KARPO 23-27 Euston Road, NW1 2SD Tel: 020 7843 2221 FOOD *** SERVICE **** ATMOSPHERE *** Cost per person without wine: £30 Train stations don’t tend to attract the nicest crowds. Wherever you go in the world, the very worst people from that area will naturally gravitate towards the train station; the pimps and [...]
