Mario Draghi, the ECB President, must be very pleased with the early results of his QE programme. He has confirmed, irrespective of the initial impact, the ECB bond buying programme will be implemented in full. This will mean a €1.1tn…
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Interest rates in the Eurozone have reached extraordinary low levels. The highly unusual phenomenon of negative bond yields is now common. For example, the 5 year German bunds have been offering a coupon rate below zero. This situation is intensifying…
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The UK general election was predicted to be the most uncertain in decades. In the event it was one of the most certain. The run up to the election did affect market outlook particularly with the realistic possibility of a…
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The recent Deloitte commercial property survey for central London revealed a 24% increase in the last six months of office space under construction. According to the report 9.5m sq. ft. of office space is being developed of which 4.4m sq.…
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Government bonds are supposed to be risk-free assets. UK gilts and German bunds being perhaps the most secure. With the ECB starting their €60bn pm QE programme in March, this prompted investors to rush to bonds. The general consensus was…
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We are positive about the outlook for Japan both this year and next. Several factors should allow GDP to rise to 0.9% this year and 1.8% next year before the next sales tax increase hits consumption in 2017. Lower energy…
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Investors have spent many years wondering why fast economic growth in China was not reflected in strong investment returns. Now, they are wondering how slower economic growth can generate such attractive investment returns. President Xi Jinping is reforming the economy…
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The brutal weather in January and February across North East America has once again hit GDP growth. The combination of freezing conditions, a prolonged dock workers strike and a very strong US$ has led to the world’s largest economy contracting…
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‘The people of Greece are withdrawing their savings from their own banks at a phenomenal pace’ The Greek government continues to hold out for a better bail-out deal. Greece’s bargaining position has deteriorated dramatically in recent months. As the Syriza lead…
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