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We present in-depth analysis from over 150 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets. Thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction.
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Updated Throughout The Day |
Saturday, July 05, 2008
NHS 60 Today! Reform or Die? / Politics / NHS
By: Nadeem_Walayat
The NHS celebrates its 60th birthday today. The government has been marking the landmark event through a string of announcements of initiatives aimed at bringing the ageing and bureaucratic institution into the 21st century.
Following New Labour's 1997 victory the cry went out for more spending on the NHS in real-terms. i.e. above the rate of inflation as the NHS had been under funded for the duration of the preceding Conservative government. Labour more than fulfilled this election pledge by delivering a whopping £300 billion (est.) of extra real terms spending, as an example of the magnitude of the increase, £300 billion is more than the amount the government has earned from North Sea Oil and Gas since 1997 and has resulted in the NHS expansion from approx 4.8% of the UK's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 8% of GDP and is destined to continue to grow under New Labour towards a target of 11% of GDP by 2020.
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Saturday, July 05, 2008
UK Housing Bust to Hit British Pound / Housing-Market / UK Housing
By: Money_and_Markets
Jack Crooks writes: I've pointed out many times here in my Money and Markets column that interest rates and economic growth are always the two primary fundamental drivers of currency prices. Therefore, it's no stretch to conclude that housing has been the Achilles' heel for the U.S. dollar.
But what if there's another major currency country that has a much worse outlook for its housing market? Would we then expect bad housing news to play a similar role in pushing its respective currency lower? I think the short answer is: Yes!
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Saturday, July 05, 2008
Advice from Warren Buffet for Investing in Difficult Times / InvestorEducation / Learning to Invest
By: Richard_Shaw
There is an alleged ancient Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times.”
While there is no historical proof of the origin of that curse, there is ample current proof in the securities markets that we are living in interesting times. It's simply nasty out there — or at least it feels that way.
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Saturday, July 05, 2008
US Insane Ethanol Biofuels Policies Cause of Food Crisis / Commodities / Ethanol
By: Mike_Shedlock
A World Bank Report suggests Biofuels behind food price hikes . Biofuels have caused world food prices to increase by 75 percent, according to the findings of an unpublished World Bank report published in The Guardian newspaper on Friday.
The report's author, a senior World Bank economist, assessed that contrary to claims by US President George W. Bush, increased demand from India and China has not been the cause of rising food prices.
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Saturday, July 05, 2008
Banking Stocks Still Not a Buy, Heading for New Lows Into August / Companies / Banking Stocks
By: Donald_W_Dony
The unprecedented decline in global financials, since early 2007, has most investors wondering when the bottom will arrive. Many world financial indexes are now sitting on half of their value from 18 months ago. Attractive fundamental valuation levels, provided by many analysts, have proven to be of little consequence since stocks have continued to waterfall 20%-40% below those 'attractive levels' and show no signs of stopping. But as many financial indexes plunge to the same levels as the 2002 bear market lows, the big question remains; when will the banks stop their fall? Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, July 05, 2008
US Auto Makers Feel the Heat of High Gas Prices / Companies / US Auto's
By: Salman_Khan
The Sport Utility Vehicle has been an American icon ever since it was born into mass popularity during the days of World War II when the American WillysJeep was introduced in the US car market. Vehicle buyers were drawn to their large cabins, higher ride height, and perceived safety. Additionally, full-size SUVs have greater towing capabilities than conventional cars, and can haul trailers, campers and boats. SUVs had the added benefit that they could carry more passengers than a pick-up truck. Finally, a perception of social wealth SUV owners grew.Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Recent Hindenburg Stock Market Crash Omen / Stock-Markets / Financial Crash
By: Robert_McHugh_PhD
So what is a Hindenburg Omen? It is the alignment of several technical factors that measure the underlying condition of the stock market — specifically the NYSE — such that the probability that a stock market crash occurs is higher than normal , and the probability of a severe decline is quite high. This Omen has appeared before all of the stock market crashes, or panic events, of the past 22 years. All of them. No panic sell-off occurred over the past 22 years without the presence of a Hindenburg Omen. Another way of looking at it is, without a confirmed Hindenburg Omen, we are pretty safe . But we have one as of June 16th, 2008. Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Gold vs. the World Chart / Commodities / Gold & Silver
By: Adrian_Ash
Olivia & Tatiana Van Vredenburch write: "...Take a look at this Global Gold Index, showing the price of gold against the world's top 10 largest currencies..."
BACK IN 1969 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) created a new kind of money – the ultimate form of international money, it believed – called the Special Drawing Right.
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Friday, July 04, 2008
Inflation Fuse has Been Lit, Protect Your Wealth With GOLD / Commodities / Gold & Silver
By: Money_and_Markets
Larry Edelson writes: First things first: Your family and your health. With a long holiday weekend coming up, enjoy both!
Then, when you get back on Monday, I want you to make darn sure you have plenty of gold in your portfolio. Why? Because your wealth is at stake. The Federal Reserve has lit the inflation fuse, and is bound and determined to devalue the U.S. dollar even more than they already have.
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Friday, July 04, 2008
US Metalworking Business Index Trends Point to Economic Contraction / Economics / UK Economy
By: Mike_Shedlock
Steve Kline who produces the Metalworking Business Index survey, shared an email with me from a correspondent who wanted to raise capital to expand, but could not get the loan. Let's take a look.
Steve,
Friday, July 04, 2008
Three Conditions for Day Trading the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) / Currencies / Forex Trading
By: Yvonne_L_Marchant
Low Risk - High Reward – Does it exist? My friend who lives in Perth , Australia , has just come back from two weeks surfing in the beautiful blue waters of Sydney . Can you believe it? It is meant to be the middle of winter over that side of the world! Needless to say he hadn't been doing much trading. So to get him back into the swing of things, I was telling him about how I trade the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP). Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, July 04, 2008
The 5 C's of Trading Consistency / InvestorEducation / Learn to Trade
By: Nazy_Massoud
How many times have you heard that one of the keys to trading success is consistency?
Probably too many times. Well, it is true.
How do you define trading consistency? What are the elements of it?
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Friday, July 04, 2008
Global Inflationary Pressures: No End in Sight / Economics / Inflation
By: Salman_Khan
Inflationary pressures, coming at a time when there are palpable signs of economic slowdown, has been spooking the global Governments, policymakers, financial authorities and marketmen alike. Worldwide, prices of commodities like Crude Oil, Wheat and Rice have skyrocketed in last one year or so. Policymakers have been especially finding themselves helpless in present situation due to the "global" nature of the current inflation. Central Bankers are also in a fix as given the slowdown in economic activity, they won't be able to fight the inflation the way Volcker did by aggressively raising the interest rates back in 1970's. Stagflation is extremely difficult for conventional policy instruments to deal with, since the attempt to deal with any one of the problems tends to exacerbate the other.Read full article... Read full article...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Gold Hold Recent Advance in Thin European Trade / Commodities / Gold & Silver
By: Adrian_Ash
SPOT GOLD PRICES drifted in thin trade on Friday, bouncing off yesterday's low at $930 per ounce as crude oil ticked down and the US Dollar held flat after Thursday's 1.2% jump. New York was closed for the long Independence Day weekend." Gold is still holding onto its recent extreme gains very well," noted the Mitsui team here in London this morning.
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Friday, July 04, 2008
US Jobs Report Less than Expected; Based on BLS Statistical Assumptions / Economics / US Economy
By: Mark_OByrne
Gold was down $12.90 to $931.90 in New York yesterday and silver closed at $18.28, down 5 cents. Gold remained at these levels in Asia but has fallen near to yesterday's lows in early trading in Europe. Oil has fallen marginally < $144.40 down 0.6% - Light Sweet Crude Oil Future - Combined - AUG08> and the dollar is flat after yesterday's strong gains.Read full article... Read full article...
