Port out, starboard home for yachting December 18, 2011 AS LEHMAN Brothers was filing for bankruptcy in September of 2008, Stephen White was sitting in Monaco on the back of Bad Girl, one of the most expensive superyachts in the world, owned by a top New York financier. White was then its highly respected captain. The financier, who had predicted the financial crisis, was [...]
SEIS’s beauty is in the eye of its beholder December 18, 2011 I WAS disappointed to read the criticism the finance industry levied at the new Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). For example, an article in this paper concluded: “The SEIS is a gimmick and will not be particularly fruitful for investors or the economy.” The critics highlight the risk of investing in start-ups. Of course, the [...]
The City of London needs a Europe strategy that does not lead to it being sidelined December 18, 2011 FEAR is stalking parts of the city that Brussels is determined to undermine its competitiveness. But ask any senior banker or businessman what particular measure it is that Britain needs saving from, they draw a blank. The implementation of a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) in the EU alone, and not on a global level, would [...]
Eurozone’s bank sector is facing a wintry new year December 18, 2011 IT’S hard to be optimistic about European banks: they are operating in a highly volatile economic environment that still seems a recipe for trouble ahead. To start with, take rising capital requirements and mix with new liquidity standards. Then add in constrained economic growth alongside the need for future restructuring and significant cost cutting. Combined, [...]
It’s a good time for the City’s taxes to pour in December 18, 2011 AT A time when the City’s value is being questioned, both in the UK and in Europe, it is more important than ever that we highlight the huge contribution it continues to make – even in this extremely challenging economic environment. It was timely therefore that last week a new City of London Corporation report [...]
RAPID RESPONSES December 18, 2011 Fire and ice Benny Peiser argues “the green agenda will remain firmly on ice for the rest of this decade”. [Durban’s climate conference puts green deal on ice, last Wednesday]. What’s true for inter-governmental climate treaties may also be coming true for the green energy movement, as governments realise they can’t afford the costly subsidies [...]
Thomas well-cooked December 18, 2011 THOMAS Cook, the purveyors of package holidays, led the way in the last century in opening up the world to those whose parents would never have thought of leaving the country. No longer at the vanguard, the company is now unfashionable and anachronistic in a world of cheap airlines and online deals. Investors are turning [...]
THE WEEK AHEAD December 18, 2011 COMPANY NEWS ● HMV announces its interim results today. ● Carnival will announce its quarterly earnings report tomorrow. The world’s largest cruise ship operator will be hoping to experience smooth sailing into the new year. ● Sable Mining Africa will announce its interim results on Friday. Located in sub-Saharan Africa, the company is looking to [...]
THE TIPSTER December 18, 2011 THOSE thinking of buying gold jewellery for a loved one this Christmas could consider buying gold contracts instead, given the dramatic collapse in recent days. Gold fell as much as $190 since the 1 December level of $1,750, and currently trades $320 lower than the heights hit in September. Use $1,570-$1,600 as a buying opportunity [...]
DOLLAR RISE WILL DENT ALL ASSETS December 18, 2011 NOTWITHSTANDING the recent agreement to amend the EU treaty, the world’s financial markets are not reassured. A solution to the Eurozone debt crisis is still wanting, and many believe that the world’s emerging economies could provide it. As a collective driving force they might be able to stop the debt contagion, but the question is [...]
