There are a range of public equity markets, also known as stock markets, operating around the world. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is among the best known and oldest; there are others in major financial centres in Germany, France, the Netherlands, the USA, China and Japan as well as smaller ones in other regions. Share [...]
Credit Crunch Confusion
Where do I invest my cash in 2008?
Anyone lucky enough to have a lump sum of cash to invest this year will be forgiven for wondering where to put it. Should it be stuffed safely under the mattress? Far too risky, you might get burgled and like organic matter your cash doesn’t [...]
It is nice to see that Warren Buffet, the Sage of Omaha, even had the power to halt an entire market move when he invested $5bn in Goldman Sachs.If I was sitting at my desk and was asked which bank in the world would I buy into, with any spare $5bn I happened to have [...]
Eighteen months ago every newspaper and blog was running stories on the financial meltdown. Today, in general, it looks like we have avoided any such crisis. Many countries did enter recessions but the vast majority of those are now seeing growth again albeit rather fragile growth.US jobless claims are improving, although there are still the [...]
So it looks like we have avoided a 1930’s style depression however the current forecasts still suggest slow growth and a difficult time ahead. So what should you do in a difficult environment with your own finances?If we were to be honest with ourselves, then we should probably accept that we can improve on at [...]
In the aftermath of the credit crunch, investors are learning from past mistakes and deciding to take greater control of their finances.Opportunities in fluctuating markets, tax efficiency and planning investments for the future are all motivating forces.Yes it takes time but the majority of readers would probably benefit from more financial planning, more research or [...]
As the major economies start to stabilise and the risk of a depression thankfully fades into the distance many people are reflecting on a few important points. Firstly, how did it all happen? Secondly, how can they better protect themselves in the future?Tax efficiency, opportunities in fluctuating markets, diversifying existing investment portfolios and planning investments [...]
Greece continues to have debt problems. The problems are apparently solved one week only for a new deal to be agreed the next week. And then in the following week we read that the Greek government is seeking new assurances from the EU / IMF. No one is in any doubt that Greece has a [...]
Short selling, a help or a hindrance? I am not talking about individual traders who enjoy the ability to short sell shares, I am referring to the existing shareholder. Whilst existing holders may not want anyone shorting their shares on a certain level, if the shares are shorted, and the shareholder has done their homework, [...]
Many traders and investors have trading rules and tips to help guide their investments. To me too many tips are on a particular trade and do not focus on strategies. At the same time too few tips are based on how to reduce your risks.If you are a short term investor and trading the markets [...]