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When In A Maelstrom
It is difficult to achieve any form of perspective when sitting in the midst of a maelstrom; it is thus all the more important to check the charts to see through the day to day short term buffeting of a financial storm. We are in such a storm and it will take some time not just to blow through but also to assess the destruction, damage and detritus that has occurred.
China Price or What Price China?
Chinas greatest export for over a decade was deflation anything we could make, they could make cheaper and no doubt still can. But such a generalism would hide the detail that manufacturing within China had become increasingly competitive as the manufacturers sought ever cheaper prices by pushing back into the hinterland. That, however, can only go on for a certain period of time until you run into a manufacturing blockage such as the Himalayas or Gobi desert or even of course someone elses border! Even that has not necessarily been a problem in certain circumstances, as Chinese manufacturers have shown themselves willing to outsource manufacturing even to their somewhat caustic neighbour Vietnam.
'Bright Grey improve commission sacrifice terms'
Bright Grey has made changes that will reduce their clients premiums when advisers sacrifice commission;commission sacrifice; reduce their clients premiums
On Hold! Well . maybe.
So the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England left rates on hold last week, thus leaving the exasperated bulls straining for the next move to be a cut. The next Quarterly Inflation Report is due out on the 14th November and no doubt the MPC members will be have been aware of the primary elements of it. It will certainly therefore be interesting to see the minutes in a couple of weeks to see how they voted and whether they feel the outlook for inflation is really that benign. Maybe in the short term it could ease but it would be wise to be more sceptical further out.
Powerless
Powerless in the face of the water companies, powerless in the face of the cable companies and in fact shortly - just powerless altogether.
Three Strikes and Youre Out!
It was supposed to be a celebration of talent across the sporting world. England was supposed to be triumphant in football, be mighty and victorious in rugby, and the young Hamilton was mere points away from the coveted world championship. However, it all proved too elusive and many endured a sporting weekend of what can only be called a hatrick of horrors. Sadly City workers who came into work on Monday morning hoping to put said weekend (and perhaps losses at the betting shop!) behind them were treated to another trio of horrors only this time concerning UK housing.
A season of financial as well as meteorological storms
Back in October 1987 the storm that hit South East England acted as the perfect analogous prologue for what was about to hit the stock markets the following trading day. The monumental drop on the Dow Jones index reverberated around the globe as it plunged 508 points, or 22.6% on what was then record volume and became known as Black Monday. How appropriate then that we should be concerned about this anniversary as the Dow has again been reaching record highs.
News from AEGON Scottish Equitable
New - Annuity quotes direct from your portal Our Self-invested Personal Pension - Protected investments from Barclays Industry blog - Rachel Vahey talks about her Conservative party conference experience Pre-Budget report - our initial analysis
Norwich Union warns - 'Where's the money coming from?'
Norwich Union warns - 'Where's the money coming from?'
PYV warns advisers to check their Professional Indemnity cover is sufficient prior to 1st November MiFID deadline
PYV warns advisers to check their Professional Indemnity cover is sufficient prior to 1st November 2007 MiFID deadline
More money less value
Good news - we are earning more: Bad news - weve got less to spend. I had better explain. It seems that the average gross household income has risen from £34,796 to £53,835 over the past ten years however, by the time we take off those essentials such as tax, national insurance and the mortgage (but excluding claret for some reason) we are left with just 32.6% of our gross income.
Safe As Houses
Probably the best decision they never made. I am referring, of course, to Barclays and their failed bid for ABNAmro. After a policy of generally organic growth, apart from their significant £3billion Absa acquisition in South Africa, Barclays leap at another global brand name came as a shock. However, as the Barclays share price fell, the paper bid was always likely to fail against a higher cash offer from the RBS consortium, and whilst the Dutch will be happy with the cash, the prospect of selling some of their national silver to a Belgian bank wont be popular with any of the Dutchmen I know.