Before setting in on a definite agreement, calculate the amount that you are allowed to borrow using variables such as annual incomes and monthly outgoings. These are essential computations in order not to be engulfed with debt down the road. Next, you should speak to a local financial advisor or attend seminars which feature talks on the best mortgage deals. Not only that, ensure that your credit score is at optimum level so that the application...more
2012 will usher in a new economic age. The United States dollar hegemony is coming to an end and as such, so is our dominance in the world. Some people may find this unbelievable to suggest, but when you consider the financial realities it's actually quite reasonable. The U.S. went off the gold standard and removed the gold link to the dollar because they wanted a more flexible (inflatable) currency. And when the U.S. did that, the entire world...more
While many Western investors remain fixated on somehow acquiring a slice of Turkmenistans natural gas riches, despite a recent scandal over the countrys actual reserves, there is another country further east whose energy and mineralogical reserves have been overlooked Uzbekistan.While a number of factors are responsible for this oversight, including relative geographical isolation (Uzbekistan, along with Liechtenstein, is one of the worlds doubly landlocked nations, requiring crossing two other nations to gain access to the oceans), which currently limits energy exports available for the global market, there are a number of pluses that the country has for investors willing to think outside the box.With a population of 27 million, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's most populous and dominant power. A conservative fiscal policy since 1991, including inconvertibility of the national currency, the som, has shielded its citizens from the hyperinflation that ravaged other former Soviet republics, but the policy previously diminished potential foreign investment.Since the global recession that began a year ago, however, Uzbekistans fiscal conservatism, previously dismissed by the foreign...more
As we all live in the present, it is very hard to fully assess the future implications of decisions supported or made by political and business leaders. An extraordinary game of geo-strategy is under way to lock in long-term agreements, notably in the energy sector. At a global level, the transit routes of future oil & gas pipelines become the...more
Stock option refers to a deal between the buyer and the seller to possess a right to buy or sell shares or stocks at a certain price. It comes with an expiry date and the buying or selling must be done before that date. But thats not compulsory for you to buy or sell any stock unwillingly. So, the stock options trading is an altogether different...more
Is it time to invest in the remaining investment banks and assorted financial Institutions? OK they are not called investment banks anymore but we all know who I am talking about.There is a small sense of medium sized to large corporations finally starting to baulk at various new business tax burdens being continually levied in the UK.In separate stories we can see a number of companies considering moving capacity out of Britain to the continent where the arbitrariness of retroactive or boutique taxes are less onerous. While this is in the early stages of name and bluff calling, traders would be advised to remain cautious over the negative possibilities this may engender. Anyone trading the financial markets, whether that is through spread betting, CFDs, stocks and shares etc should also accept that, in the short term, we are likely to run through a protracted period of dividend cuts. Companies will look to pare back borrowing and hold onto cash. Naturally, this has been well disclosed already and should not have much of a negative impact. Of course should and will are two very different words.With each week/month of no real signs of an economic upturn emerging the desperation of...more
Many people are increasingly thinking about taking control of their finances; especially in the light of the positives and negatives drawn from the economic crisis.Being more tax efficient with your investments and savings is always a good idea....more
I like to trade stocks and shares but what do when unemployment in both the US and UK keep increasing? Interestingly the major stock markets are also increasing.Unfortunately, equity markets are completely detached from the real economy. So as...more
The recent weakness of the US Dollar has certainly helped bolster the commodities futures markets. With most commodities, like Gold and Crude Oil, priced in dollars, any dollar weakness can help boost the commodity prices. Gold has shot up to $1,100...more
The rose tinted view of financial data continues to drive the markets as more and more reasons are found to speculate on shares even as the driving impetus of the actual economy seems to be stuttering once again. As far as I can see, much of the data...more
In a recent statement, Simon Denham of London-based Capital Spreads said, Sterling remains popular for the moment and it is difficult to be too negative on a technical viewpoint as the downside is definitely an unproductive area for the moment. The...more
Do you find yourself looking for your dream home, but do not know where to start? You need to have a plan in place as a first step to owning your own home. When you plan ahead, you can be take more informed investment decisions. After all, purchasing...more