Easy credit may teach hard economic lessons October 31, 2011 ONE thing about public opinion I fail to understand is this: people understand that easy credit was a cause of the financial crisis, so why are policies that make credit easier popular? George Osborne’s credit easing plans for small businesses are noble in that these firms are indeed the lifeblood of the economy. But it [...]
RAPID RESPONSES October 31, 2011 Fencing the banks Instead of mounting a legal challenge to the capital rules proposed by the Vickers Commission [EU in bid to veto UK bank reform], surely the EU should instead be considering a similar overhaul for all the bloc’s banks. Ring-fencing investment banking from retail banking would create a more stable financial system which, [...]
Build profits by going short on infrastructure October 31, 2011 PRIME Minister David Cameron has been keenly reiterating the coalition government’s commitment to infrastructure spending. Although he isn’t an open follower of John Maynard Keynes, the idea of this kind of deficit spending designed to stimulate aggregate demand came from the Cambridge economist’s mind. However, traders should stay cynical. Recession left the cupboard bare and [...]
EQUITY BEARS SORE BUT MAY GET LAST BITE October 31, 2011 YESTERDAY, global equity markets were giving back some of the extraordinary gains made during October. Yet despite this, the month-long rally has been impressive while extremely unpleasant for stock market bears. Technically, a number of major stock indices broke through significant resistance levels. By the end of last week the FTSE, S&P and Dow had [...]
That is just too much information October 31, 2011 LOOKING at the market reaction to recent events, traders could be forgiven for sitting in front of their screens, scratching their heads, unable to make heads or tails of anything. Whispers through the grapevine cause big moves in price, but official statements barely register. Perhaps traders are paying heed to the old rule of thumb [...]
Five must-follow tweeters for trading success October 31, 2011 1 @ZEROHEDGE From the mysterious writers who author the Zero Hedge blog, this twitter feed is streets ahead of the competition. It brings news scoops and links to insightful articles that often challenge the consensus. The website has been credited with bringing the controversial practice of flash trading to the public attention in 2009. 2 [...]
THE TIPSTER October 31, 2011 SHARES in Man Group are languishing at lows not seen since March of 2009, down over 50 per cent year to date. Weekend reports suggested Man could be considering using some of its cash pile of around $1bn to fund a share buyback at current levels, so CFD traders were buying with tight stop losses [...]
Hair-raising tips: growing the mo October 31, 2011 G ROWING a moustache can be a dangerous business. You risk ridicule with uneven growth or social exclusion with an unclean and whiffy tache. Then there’s the maintenance and the blade-based dangers of trimming. You can avoid these pitfalls with our Movember guide. View this moustache-growing month as an opportunity to look dashing while raising [...]
Episode 34: A letter from Father October 31, 2011 MY own dearest son David, Your mother and I were pleased to see you all at the weekend and of course, especially to meet your beautiful twins; our delightful grandchildren. There are some things a father cannot say to a son or, perhaps, simply that I cannot say to you. So I hope you will [...]
FIT IN THE CITY October 31, 2011 FITNESS & DIET EXPERT FORGET swanky members clubs – no sooner has the stork paid a visit these days, everyone who’s anyone ditches chi-chi clubs for the family-friendly spa. The constant media bombardment of supermodel mum pics (you know the ones, catwalk-ready six weeks after being wheeled out of the delivery suite), combined with endless [...]
