Following the central bank’s monthly report, the Bundesbank has downgraded growth forecasts in Germany for both this and next year. However, the institution suggests a recovery for the euro area may well be on the horizon, having recorded a rise in business confidence in May. Bundesbank cut its December projections for 2013 from 0.4 to…
Over the past ten years, investors have willingly expanded their investment horizons, aided by the Internet, sophisticated software order execution platforms, and a creative brokerage community that has expanded, as well, to meet the overflowing demand. Stocks and bonds are no longer the only items favored by today’s modern investor.Currencies, commodities, overseas offerings, and futures…
At the recent IMF Spring Meetings, experts highlighted the discrepancies in the growth rates of countries around the world. PwC, who six months ago coined the term “two-speed economy”, has revised its analysis to include a third speed lane. “Whilst the eurozone continues to focus on crisis management and Japan puts the finishing touches to…
Emerging market currency exposure is becoming more important to investors and corporations alike. In the post-crisis world, emerging market regions have been seen as an investment alternative to the troubled G10. An environment of extremely low yields in developed markets has made the higher yields available in emerging markets more attractive – particularly as the…
The country is grappling with a credible strategy to enable it to raise funds to remain solvent. Slovenia needs to present a suitable economic reform programme to the European Commission later this week. By selling state-owned bank Nova KBM and telecoms firm Telekom the government hopes it will be able to avoid an international bailout….
Whereas Asian shares have been capped amid ongoing fears of enfeebled global growth, stronger than expected US job data growth has propelled Japanese equities to a near five-year high. European stock markets incited the Asian cap, with financial spreadbetters anticipating London’s FTSE 100, Paris’s CAC-40 and Frankfurt’s DAX to open down as much as 0.3…
A quick Internet search on buying property overseas will reveal thousands of articles providing investment advice, guidance on the best places to buy as well as pages and pages of property listings. Good news if you are a buyer.But what if you want to sell a property you own overseas?Unfortunately there’s less guidance out there…
Data released on April 25 revealed Spanish unemployment to have reached 27.2 percent, the highest such figure at least since the nation’s transition to democracy in 1976 – when records began. The report has fuelled European debate in questioning the proven effectiveness of austerity, with many wishing to switch conversely to reviving economic growth. The…
It’s easy to get excited about a new house at many times during the buying process. You’ve done the walkthrough with your real estate agent and the seller, you’ve put up money for the seller and you have a contract ready to go. But there’s one very important hurdle to clear before you should be…
After short negotiations, Qatar has agreed to buy Egyptian bonds worth $3bn, part of an aid package that will help Egypt from sinking into financial turmoil. The announcement was made after an unexpected trip to Egypt by the Qatari premier Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani, and has surprised many observers. Qatar’s bond purchase comes on…
