Asking the Right Questions
VW & “Maximising Shareholder Value”
Global equity investors have endured a difficult few months, amid concern about plunging commodity prices, the outlook for the global economy and the direction of US monetary policy. Against this uncertain backdrop, the confession from Volkswagen that they had used software to cheat US…
A Karl Pilkington Perspective on Central Banks
Those who have heard of Karl Pilkington probably know him as the guy in the TV show An Idiot Abroad. However, it was the podcasts with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (co-creators of The Office) in the mid-2000’s that earned him cult status, for…
Active Management: A Football Perspective
Trustee groups face a plethora of choice when implementing an investment offering within a pension scheme. One important decision is whether to use passive or active investment managers. Passive managers simply look to replicate a particular index. For example, for broad exposure to global…
All eyes on Janet Yellen and the US Fed!
A major source of the market volatility in recent months has been the uncertainty around the outlook for interest rates in the US. This week will be eventful, with the US Federal Reserve holding their much anticipated monetary policy committee meeting, as market participants…
Saving up pension woe
Article appeared in the Sunday Time Business section September 14th 2015 The return of the generals of the Celtic Tiger Boom and Bust – McCreevy, Ahern and Cowen – in front of the Banking Inquiry, attracted huge media attention, and was no doubt a welcome distraction…
Irish Government: Macro Improvement Clouded by Micro Failings
This is my article which featured in the Sunday Independent, August 23rd 2015: http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/this-government-has-worked-yet-voters-want-to-get-rid-of-it-31470178.html I give my take on the current government, how the much improved macroeconomic picture has been overshadowed by some of their failings at a micro level. Of course I end…
Same old Arsenal? The folly of forecasting!
Super-Thursday? No, it’s all about Super-Sunday! The Brazilian Real might have hit a 12-year low against the US dollar last week, but the currency of Liverpool’s Brazilian wizard Philippe Countinho continues to strengthen. A moment of magic was the difference as Liverpool avenged their…
The drought is over, English premier league returns!
The drought is over at last, a new English premier league season begins this weekend. The great thing about a new season is the unfettered hope that springs eternal among all football fans, whether their club is in the lower leagues or in the…
Thoughts on valuation & market predictions
In May 2013, I wrote this piece on valuation – Equity Markets: Valuation is in the Eye of the Beholder – which I think might be worth revisiting for anyone querying current valuations in equity markets and the outlook for expected returns. I continue…
Banking Inquiry and the Celtic Tiger Villain
Two well-known villains were back in the media last week, making headlines for different reasons. Lance Armstrong was in France to ride the Tour de France route as part of a charity race to raise money for leukemia research, while at home in Ireland,…
