A nation of tax cheats changed by new rules February 13, 2012 TAX evasion is rife in the UK. In the last few months a friend of mine has spent over £1,000 on various household jobs. On each occasion the labourer was paid in cash. Was VAT included? Did the workman pay income tax? I have other acquaintances who consider themselves left of centre politically, but do [...]
RAPID RESPONSES February 13, 2012 Parental guidance Well written, David Crow [Too many children are being taken into care, last Friday]. In a free society such as ours, surely it is better to leave children in the care of their parents rather than in institutions – we must give back to parents, often single parents, the responsibility and authority they [...]
THE HUNT FOR YIELD HAS LED INVESTORS TO APPLE February 13, 2012 FX 360 ONE of the absolute truths of the current investment climate is that investors are desperate for yield. With both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank emulating the Bank of Japan by keeping rates at near zero per cent for the foreseeable future, savers have become starved for return. For example, in [...]
Charting your way to trading profits February 13, 2012 REVERSAL DOUBLE TOP DOUBLE top and double bottom chart patterns are straightforward to spot and can be seen across a range of different time frames, both in long and short-term charts. “Double tops are important to look out for, as are double bottoms,” says Ian O’Sullivan, head of sales for SpreadCo. “They confirm a resistance [...]
THE TIPSTER ROCKY ROAD PAVED WITH CHOCOLATE HEAVEN February 13, 2012 CHOCOLATIER Thorntons will be hoping it can keep investors sweet, when it releases its latest update this week. Its Christmas update provided little cheer, and it is somewhat hard to believe that the market for slightly upmarket chocolates has improved in any way during the post-Christmas season – even if some Britons might have turned [...]
Analyst picks for 14 February 2012 February 13, 2012 STRATEGIST JOHN KICKLIGHTER My pick: Short S&P 500, long euro-Swissie, long dollar-yen Expertise: Fundamental and technical analysis with risk management Average time frame of trades: 1 day to 1 week The prevailing risk appetite run that has guided the markets since the beginning of the year has been impressive, but also looks to be a [...]
Greece’s latest austerity promise isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on February 13, 2012 LONG-TERM investors could be forgiven for putting their hands over their ears at the mere mention of the Eurozone – at the very least it will better assure their continued sanity. But traders are cut from a different cloth and see opportunities in volatility. Despite the relief following the latest agreement for the Greek government [...]
The rise of bespoke perfumery February 13, 2012 For centuries fragrances have beguiled us. Ancient civilisations experimented with perfumes and by the 11th century, European scent-masters were plying their olfactory trade. It became a mainstream craft in Victorian times, when leaps in scientific knowledge – and equipment – made it possible to create previously unattainable compounds. Throughout most of its existence, perfume was [...]
FIT IN THE CITY February 13, 2012 Valentine SOS: Foxy fitness for the 14th Too late to pump it up to impress your Valentine date? No way – this lunchtime you can get buff, glowing and well in the mood for your dinner date. Plump for the fitness facelift. Anything that gets you sweaty and out of breath is good news for [...]
EPISODE 46 – A rather BAD NEWS DAY February 13, 2012 I arrive in the office a few minutes late. The last couple of nights I’ve been struggling to sleep for much of the night, only to slip into deep sleep just as it’s time to rise and shine. Well, that’s how it seems to me. Emma says I’m still snoring throughout the night. Gina has [...]
