“It is a truly scary time”
One hedge fund manager who correctly predicted the last financial crisis has warned that he is seeing parallels in today’s market. In an internal memo, Andy Redleaf, the CEO of Whitebox Advisors, said that “[he thinks] it is a truly scary time”. Whitebox Advisors is a $4.2 billion hedge and mutual fund. In the same […]
Financial Crisis, Market watch, Oil Prices, Predictions, Stock Markets
Analysis, Explained, Long Term Savings, Market Watch
Disruptors
A recent portfolio review for a client led a very interesting discussion. My client has small part of his investment flowing into an energy fund. Though the fund is all encompassing (from fossil burning to wind farms), the recent and dramatic changes in the price of a barrel of oil has impacted the funds value […]
ECB Bond-Buying Legal
Official figures have shown, inflation in the eurozone has turned negative, with prices in December 0.2% lower than the same month a year earlier. The tip into deflation adds pressure on the European Central Bank (ECB) to take further action to stimulate the area’s economy. Recent news could be a step towards the necessary stimulation, […]
Wall Street Slumps And They Are Not Alone
A fall in US retail sales, disappointing company results and falling commodity prices have seen stocks on Wall Street suffer as investors react. Retail sales were down 0.9% in December which is far worse than analysts expected. Shares in JP Morgan and Wells Fargo have slipped due to disappointing fourth quarter profits. In the back […]
Investments, Market watch, Stock Market, World Business, World Economy
China Beats Export Expectations
Trade figures for China in December have exceeded expectations with exports up 9.7% and imports down 2.3% from the same period last year. Final figures for 2014 mean that exports rose 6.1% over the year, and imports rose just 0.4% according to state news agency Xinhua. Analysts believe that imports will fall more than 7% […]
Growth Prediction Cut by World Bank
The forecast for global growth has been cut by The World Bank as it warns that the US cannot drive economic recovery alone. In June, the bank forecast 3.4% growth this year and 3.5% next year, however they have revised those figures in the latest report to 3% for this year and 3.3% next year. […]
New Plans To Save The Russian Rouble
New measures are being put in place in Russia to try and stabilise the rouble or at least try to stem its recent slump against the dollar. If necessary, the central bank plans to provide additional capital to Russia’s banks and financial companies. There are also plans to hold more foreign exchange auctions if required. […]
Brent Crude Oil Falls Below $60 A Barrel
As fuel pump prices continue to fall, Brent crude oil has now fallen below $59 a barrel for the first time in five years. The Brent price first dropped below $60, then to $58.50 a barrel, before recovering slightly to $59.01. Oil prices have now nearly halved since June as a result of waning demand […]
Eurozone, Investments, Market watch, Stock Market, World Economy
12 Year Low for UK Inflation
UK inflation is down to a 12-year low as a result of sinking fuel prices according to official statistics. An “early Christmas present” for consumers as the Consumer Price index measured inflation at 1% in November, having been at 1.3% in October. The Retail Prices Index fell to a five-year low of 2% down from […]
Eurozone, Government Changes, Great Britain, Interest Rates, Investments, Market watch, UK, World Economy
A Big Week for Greece
Greece is still suffering at the hands of their political crisis, and the boss of their central bank, has warned that their economy faces “irreparable” damage as a result. In the words of Yannis Stournaras; “The crisis in recent days is now taking serious dimensions…and the risk of irreparable damage for the Greek economy is […]
Russia Hikes Interest Rates Again
Following the decline of the rouble against the dollar, the Russian central bank has announced it is hiking its key interest rate from 10.5% to 17%. Raising interest rates has its own risks, as more expensive borrowing can itself slow growth. But it may also stem the tide of money leaving the country.
The Rouble Falls Again Against the Dollar
The Russian rouble has dropped even further against the US dollar to a new low. Falling oil prices and Western sanctions continue to oppress the country. Despite continued stimulus from Russia’s central bank the rouble has lost more than 45% of its value against the dollar since the start of the year. As of Monday […]
