Savers musn’t be harmed by rules designed to help December 16, 2012 IN JUST a few weeks, the UK will see sweeping changes to financial services regulation. The retail distribution review (RDR) comes into force under the stewardship of the new Financial Conduct Authority. By requiring financial advisers to disclose transparently the fees savers pay for advice, RDR aims to help rebuild shattered trust in the financial [...]
As more Christmas shoppers choose to buy online, can the British high street survive? December 16, 2012 YES Rob Myers Regardless of how the internet evolves, you can’t try on a pair of the latest shoes or feel the quality of a gift for a loved one. Our research has shown that, far from killing the high street, the internet is lending itself as a valuable tool in the retailer’s armoury. The [...]
Rapid responses December 16, 2012 Interest protection [Re: European banking union will be no friend of vibrant financial services, Thursday] A banking union in the Eurozone makes a lot of sense. The very basic monetary union Europe had before has shown its limits under pressure. As the crisis heated up, European banks were encouraged to restrict cross-border lending and become [...]
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 [...]
Coya: the last word in Peruvian cuisine December 16, 2012 RESTAURANT COYA 118 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 7NW Tel: 020 7042 7118 FOOD **** VALUE *** ATMOSPHERE *** Cost for two people with wine: £120 COYA WAS easily one of the most talked about openings this autumn. Created by Arun Waney, the man behind La Petite Maison and the uber successful Knightsbridge eatery Zuma, the restaurant [...]
Brindisa’s fourth outlet does tapas in a big way. Literally. December 16, 2012 RESTAURANT TRAMONTANA 152 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AT Tel: 020 7749 9961 FOOD **** VALUE *** ATMOSPHERE *** Cost for two people without wine: £70 THERE WAS a time, believe it or not, when there was not a hip new tapas bar on every street in central London. A time before the roast courgette flowers and [...]
