What is the “Libor scandal” and what does it mean to you? The term “Libor” stands for “London Interbank Offered Rate” (no, it does not stand for Let’s Investigate Banksters’ Organised Rate-rigging…) and it is a benchmark commonly used to determine interest rates on business loans worldwide. The real impact on you and i, dear…
There are few arguments more heated than those based around the future direction for house prices. i am about to make some statements that many people will find disturbing so please, if you have a weak stomach for discussion on house prices, change channels now… A hundred billion dollar error One of the great difficulties that…
Financial media have started using the terms “risk on” and “risk off” to describe the daily swings that are so vividly apparent in market pricings around the world. Just what do these terms refer to? Markets are priced at the margin Deep breath, and please bare with me on this one because it is extremely…
Is the market ‘high’ or is it ‘low’? Is it ‘time to re-enter the market’ or should you be buying cans of baked beans, a shovel and a gun? This site sticks with the Great Disclaimer – nothing here can be considered personal advice, so the title is more correctly referred to as a ‘rhetorical…
If there is a single phrase that the financial industry misuses more than any other, it is “long term”. It’s a bit like deciding to get fit by telling everyone you’ll do more exercise. You feel satisfied, because anything is more than you are currently doing – but you and i both know that “more”…
Regular readers would be aware of my penchant for rubbishing the political (leaders?) folk who vie for our votes, and who decide on how legislation and laws that govern our lives are drafted. It’s maybe a tad disrespectful of me, and more than a little unfair to those individuals who strive to do their best, and…
There are few areas of government expenditure in the world that are more contentious than those associated with the payment of pensions. This includes “age pensions” in countries that have such things, as well as “employer pensions” from time spent with an employer. There is a huge range of types of super funds available, with…
Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in France and is going through passport control. “Nationality?” asks the immigration officer. “German” she replies. “Occupation?” “No. Just visiting.” No really… is anyone else finding it hard to think of European political attempts to fix economic problems without resorting to chuckles? Europe – lessons in moving at the pace…
Who is behind the name that is behind the advisor that gives you advice? Financial Planning Bias – All is not as it seems We have covered the bias that is inherent in the Australian financial industry a few times now. The key reason for this bias is the government regulatory requirement that all Financial…
IF you were a wealthy individual, worried about the economic environment that you were in, would you lend millions of dollars to your government at a nil interest rate? Well, it seems that many people in the world think that is a fantastic idea. The German government has pulled one of the best financial swifties…
